PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Ever since I was a kid, I was obsessed with the paranormal. Ghost shows, an alien documentaries, a cryptid sightings… if it was strange and unusual, I was there. I spent my youth watching and reading about things that the human mind can’t quite comprehend and always wanted to be a part of some unusual case involving the paranormal. While I have had strange experiences in my life, I have never had the opportunity to be a part of the mystery and feel the satisfaction of solving a paranormal mystery myself… until now. At long last, you and I can be elbows deep in a paranormal mystery with the subscription box, Empty Faces.
I would like to give a huge thank you to Empty Faces’ co-founders Ryan Hogan and Derrick Smith for sending me the first two episodes of “The Woods” to review and share honestly with you lovely PopHorror readers. Empty Faces is a monthly subscription box from the makers of the amazing crime mystery box, Hunt A Killer (see my review here). If you love the idea of solving a crime but true crime just isn’t your jam, then Empty Faces is the box for you. For those of you who are familiar with how Hunt A Killer works, this may seem a big redundant, but bear with me. I will be getting to my opinion shortly. While Hunt A Killer is exclusive, Empty Faces is the country club of subscription boxes. Instead of 200 per day being approved for a box, 500 per MONTH are accepted for this one. That is one exclusive para-clique, and let me tell you, it is worth it to apply.
“It’s like Blue Apron for people who love horror.”
If that tag line doesn’t intrigue you, then I don’t know what will. Empty Faces lets lovers of the scary and paranormal conduct their own investigation from their own home. If you have ever wanted to solve a paranormal mystery, get ready to dig into this subscription. Every new applicant will receive episode one; like the Hunt A Killer box, everybody starts at one, no matter what month they order their first box.
The first box you receive has this amazing black pleather wrapped journal for your thoughts, assumptions and evidence with strange and occult-looking symbols on the cover. While this one didn’t come with a matching pen like the Hunt A Killer box does, I was in love with the design on the cover. These notebooks are just amazing quality books. I hesitated for so long to write in it, but it is the best thing you can use to create linear thoughts and keep your theories together.
Each box comes with correspondence with a mysterious helper, as well as a correspondence. Inside, you may find a clue that is also a beautiful collectable as well. While the second box is less of a welcome and more of a “let’s get down to business” box, Empty Faces gives you a lot to work with from the get-go. To me, his box seemed a tad more confusing (there is a LOT more code to these boxes) and difficult to get a hang of in terms of understanding the ties, but it is worth the effort. Much like Hunt A Killer, the answer isn’t truly found out until the Season Finale box/episode. The creators offer a social media site for fellow subscribers, so you can all delve into the mystery together. But be careful, since some members may be further along than you in their quest, so you may be spoiled if you go there for answers.
I will admit, when I went through the evidence to write everything down, it actually felt really unsettling. The evidence can seem straight up scary, and it sucks you into the feeling of what a true paranormal investigation would be like. Sitting in a quiet room alone while writing down my evidence and going through the envelopes gave me this eerie feeling as though someone were watching me. Some connections between the boxes are obvious and others take digging, but the challenges aren’t impossible. Empty Faces breaks their seasons into 5 episodes before the mystery can be solved. Empty Faces has similar pricing as Hunt A Killer – between $26 and $30, depending on what plan you decide on.
All in all, Empty Faces is fun and exciting, which is surprising considering it’s just you, a table and a notebook. I found it to be exponentially creepier and more metaphysical than Hunt A Killer, and that is right up my alley. You can apply to Empty Faces here and I highly recommend it. Why watch a paranormal show when you can put yourself in the middle of it? And solve a mystery while you’re at it?
