Gálkn: Monsters of the North is one of five original concept houses at Halloween Horror Nights 2025 at Universal Studios Florida, featuring monsters and demons in the frozen fjords. Will this house keep up the winning streak of HHN 2025?
Backstory
In a remote northern village, a wicked being rises from the dead, bringing a horde of monsters and demons from the fjords to wreak havoc on the townspeople. Try to escape the belly of the beast.
The story of Gálkn focuses on many of the beasts and folklore from Norse communities. This small northern village is being terrorized by a beastlike Shaman gathering a horde of fellow creatures.
Review
Our initial reaction to the first scene of this house was mild disappointment, with the exception of a killer giant tapestry that has a special effect. Past that beginning stumble, however, this house quickly finds its feet. We are led through the story as beasts terrorize a small northern town, but the absolute best moment comes shortly afterward.
At this point we have a little bit of a spoiler, though Universal already referenced it in the description to a certain degree. As it turns out, the line about “escape the belly of the beast” is quite literal.
We are eaten. The scene is amazing, jaw-dropping, and nothing can prepare you for it. We won’t describe the effects in any more detail, because you must absolutely experience it in person.
We never thought we would say this, but the level of sets in this house are equal to El Artista: A Spanish Haunting, which we recently dubbed one of our favorite HHN houses of all time. It has elements that make it feel like the spiritual successor to last year’s Goblin’s Feast, but with an elevated aesthetic.
We particularly want to shout-out the special effects of Gálkn. They are practically everywhere, but used well and don’t feel overwhelming. Several costumes have built-in lighting, projections are used to create objects in ancient illustrations, and a straw man is on fire. It even has puppets. The costumes are breathtaking and morph with the story in a way that feels unique. On top of all that, there are a huge variety of scareactors that ensure nothing gets repetitive.
Rating
We honestly do not remember the last HHN year we have handed out this many high ratings. We aren’t usually quick to give perfect scores to houses, much less three in the same year. But in addition to Five Night’s at Freddy’s and El Artista: A Spanish Haunting, we now have a perfect trio.
Rating out of 7: 7
Know Before You Go
Location
Gálkn: Monsters of the North is located in Sprung Tent 3, which is in the area near Men in Black Alien Attack! and the Fallout house.
Fun Facts
- Gálkn is a word from old Norse that roughly translates to “monster” or “beast of shield and armor.”
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