RECAP:  Carnage is comprised of two, connected sections – first “The Bayou," followed by “The Entity."  Beginning in the rules room, a mysterious voodoo medicine man adorned with bones, and carrying a staff with a shrunken skull on top initiates the experience by sending guests in to meet his mother, a Mambo Voodoo Priestess who casts a spell over those entering the Louisiana Bayou!  Suddenly, the lights go out and the room morphs into something far more sinister as the conjurer changes form and her curse over the land gets underway through a secret passage.

Exploration through meticulously constructed scenes unveils a green, laser-lit swamp complete with an oversized alligator; a rain-soaked boat dock; a shaky, wooden bridge; a series of shacks blaring emergency radio warnings; and a bedroom occupied by a playful "Fat kid!"  Additional scares involve a spraying skunk; a zombie shoot CGI; a living doll room highlighted by a chair and cradle that rock back and forth on their own; a dusty library featuring a tipping Grandfather clock; a realistic vulture savaging human remains; a visit with Fluffy; an attacking pig-faced goon swinging a sledgehammer, while his pet oinkers come squealing out of hidden places; and the workshop of a lunatic slamming a hammer down and exclaiming, "It's time to die!"  St. Peter St. introduces a creepy Mausoleum maze that’s home to nocturnal beings, an enormous, yellow-eyed snake, and the remains of a recently sacrificed soul that’s suffered the fate of being pierced by giant voodoo pins!  Escaping from the swampland exits into the French Quarter that houses various businesses like The Final Cut Barber who’s ready to take a little more off the top, and Slab’s Butcher Shop specializing in human appendages!

The second half of the attraction known as "The Entity" takes place inside the abandoned Carnage Community Hospital, where an odd receptionist passes out free COVID samples and directs progression through a bloody x-ray room where cadavers rise off of gurneys, then into an operating room where a distraught patient scampers out from underneath a surgical table!  Other medical mishaps witness the breathing fetus of a mother to be, the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) where an undead nurse searches for misplaced kids, an inhumane incubator that delivers a few unexpected surprises, and a pregnant lady stabbing her unborn baby by repeatedly ramming a huge syringe directly into her protruding stomach!  The unappetizing hospital cafeteria is also visited, as is a Psych Ward that finds a chained-to-the-wall lunatic struggling inside a rubber room, and another mentally challenged sufferer announcing, "I know you!  I saw you in my dreams where a clown stabbed you over and over again!”  From there, it’s onto Electro-Shock Therapy that observes the demise of an unfortunate victim being exposed to a bit too much voltage; a sparking, short-circuiting, electrical disaster caused by a misguided worker having wires and pipes sticking out of his face; and a wall of whispering skeleton-like bodies beckoning, “Come to me” before exiting into a snowy, “Wreck The Halls” preview of their Christmas show.

ANALYSIS:  Fantastic set design throughout creates top-notch scenes so authentic they’ll have you believing you’re actually in the Louisiana swamp!  Outstanding lighting and a loud, appropriate soundtrack compliment the experience making it even more realistic!  A "haunted" aspect is cleverly introduced via rattling cabinet doors, drawers that vibrate on their own, a tipping Grandfather Clock, a cradle that rocks of its own volition, a secret passage concealed by a bookcase, etc., and numerous anamatronics, pneumatics, actortronic monsters, and several "surprises" join forces to supplement the adventure.  Unique creatures like opossum, skunk, vulture, actortronic gator and snake, etc. are also appreciated for their contributions.  Falling rain in accompaniment to thunder and lightning further exemplifies the extraordinary level of detail present at Carnage.  Blowing snow likewise makes a significant impact.  A stronger finish would further elevate their score.  Cost of admission went up $5 in comparison to last year which also hurts.

Actors are energetic with Voodoo Priestess and her son giving memorable performances!  Pig-faced goon, bedroom kid, bloody nurse, pregnant girl stabbing a syringe into her stomach/baby, hammer slamming woodshop fiend, and Final Cut Barber also deserve honorable mention.  Pay them a visit and enjoy one of the spookiest haunted attractions the season has to offer!