In the News 2023

KTVU: Immersive haunted experience ‘The Initiation’ at the San Francisco Mint

Joshua Grannell, a.k.a. Peaches Christ, went live on KTVU to tell the viewers what to expect from Terror Vault’s 2023 show, The Initiation. Describing it as a unique blend of theater, 4D effects, and haunted mazes, appropriate for adults and mature teens, he explains what inspires him and his co-creator David Flower to produce immersive horror, and shares what it’s like to work in the most haunted building in San Francisco.

CA|Live: See why this new, immersive show is a cult-favorite amongst spooky San Franciscans

Jobeth Devera, dressed as a butcher with bloody apron and knife in hand, nervously meets with Peaches Christ to walk through The Initiation. Peaches tries to prepare her for a theatrical horror experience that will also include encounters with vampires from the Fang Bang Bar, who are making a very rare daytime appearance. Follow her as she screams, covers her ears, freaks out, and crawls on the floor to escape the many frights

The San Francisco Standard: San Francisco’s Spookiest Haunted House Is Inspired by the City’s Ties to Cults

The Standard reviews Terror Vault’s completely new show, The Initiation, which takes the form of a cult promising its adherents the gift of vision while blinding anyone who fails to live up to its tenets.

They not only warn people about watching the trailer, but exclaim that this show “may be the most relentlessly terrifying yet, an elaborate narrative filled with murder, deceit and eye sockets.”

DATEBOOK: Terror Vault’s ‘The Initiation’ at the S.F. Mint is the perfect way to start Halloween season

Lily Janiak took The Initiation on opening night to join the cult called Insight. Giving you the highlights, she describes the whole experience: from drinks at the Fang Bag bar, through the labyrinthine passageways, into the "heebie-jeebie-inducing environs" as she groped her way from one darkened tunnel to the next with her “fight-or-flight” response piqued for an hour straight.

She believes that if you haven’t yet joined the cult of Peaches Christ, The Initiation will convert you!

HorrorBuzz: Terror Vault is Back with Their Scariest Experience Yet

Norman Gidney begins "We approached the familiar steps at the San Francisco Mint for Initiation. Terror Vault’s new immersive haunted experience takes guests to the headquarters of the fictitious (or is it?) INsight Institute for their indoctrination/initiation into a nefarious cult" …and he soon discovers that this organization isn’t what it seems!

48hills: Join the creepy cult of Terror Vault’s ‘The Initiation’

Jon Bauer and Patty Riek visited the Terror Vault in early October: They reported “The Initiation...provides one of the most uniquely San Francisco offerings for Halloween’s spooky season: part haunted house, part live theater, part escape room, all fun.”

Their review includes two slide-shows of their original photos and some behind-the-scenes shots.

SFiST: 'Terror Vault: Initiation' at the Old Mint Will Have You Running Scared From Cultists

“It is an anxiety-inducing scenario…inside a building that feels as already haunted as San Francisco's Old Mint.”

Reporter Jay Barmann managed to survive The Initiation. He was not wearing a glow necklace, yet felt “plenty interacted-with”, and found that the dialogue from the most convincing cult figures (like Nancy and Isaac, pictured here) gave him the biggest chills.