Or are you? Like home-invasion movies, haunted-house films tap into the universal fear of being attacked in the one place you’re meant to feel the most secure. Unlike home-invasion movies ...

Another great way to amp up the fear factor is by visiting a haunted house—or better yet, bringing the haunted house to you.

But haunted house designers need to be careful: our brains understand fear and disgust differently, and adding a smell that’s too strong or revolting can pull people out of the experience.