A shriek slices the dusk. Children freeze on the pavement. Curtains twitch. Something tall moves, then stares back.
Across French high streets, budget chain Action has slipped a towering animatronic into baskets days before Halloween, and it is changing the feel of entire streets. The figure lures people close with silence, then erupts with light, sound and motion that jolts passers-by and charms the bold. The price sits under €30, which raises a practical question for households: is this the cheapest way to turn a quiet doorway into the talk of the neighbourhood?
A 183 cm animatronic lands in local aisles
Action’s seasonal newcomer stands 183 cm from base to hood, so it reads as adult height at a glance. That scale matters. It frames porches, holds doorways and dominates dim corners. In daylight it looks theatrical. After dark it feels present.
A built-in motion sensor wakes the character when someone approaches. The head tilts. The body shudders. LEDs fire in shifting colours across the face. A sharp sound cuts through traffic noise and sets a ritual: step up, pause, flinch, laugh, repeat. The effect transforms a front step into a small stage, which neighbours can’t ignore.
183 cm tall, €29.95, motion‑activated lights and cries: a formula that turns a quiet porch into a mini haunt.
Shoppers can choose between three moods. One model leans witchy, with a twisted grin and pointed garb. Another shows a bared skeleton, all grin and glare. A third floats, cloaked like a ghost with fabric that sways in draughts. Each reads from a distance and pairs easily with pumpkins, faux webs and battery tea lights.
What you get for €29.95
- Height: 183 cm, visible from the pavement without extra props.
- Trigger: motion sensor that activates movement, light and sound when someone nears.
- Power: three AA batteries are included, so it works out of the box.
- Placement: indoors or under shelter outdoors; porches and covered doorways suit it.
- Storage: lightweight frame that disassembles, so lofts and cupboards can cope.
Why neighbours stop and stare
Scale sets expectation, but timing sells the jolt. The sensor fires the routine at the exact moment a hand reaches for the bell. The voice track lands in that human pause. A rush of light hits faces at eye level. People instinctively step back, then smile. Children often dare each other to go first. Adults reach for phones and film the next brave soul. A home that felt anonymous gains a focal point without a long build.
Place the head at eye height for the shortest visitor you expect; timing, not volume, drives the jump.
Volume carries down the street, so a few courtesies keep the peace. Set a cut-off time in the early evening. Angle the speaker towards your doorway, not the road. Keep the walkway clear of cables and props so excited children can move safely.
Models and mood: witch, skeleton or ghost
The witch reads cheeky and theatrical, which suits families with younger children. The skeleton projects cartoon menace that works with neon accents and UV paint. The ghost leans eerie, especially under a cold white porch light. Pick one that fits your street’s appetite for thrills. Colour temperature changes the tone: warm light softens features; blue-white light sharpens angles and shadows.
Specs at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 183 cm |
| Price | €29.95 per unit |
| Power | 3x AA batteries (included) |
| Trigger | Motion sensor |
| Models | Witch, skeleton, ghost |
| Use | Indoors or sheltered outdoor spots |
| Availability | In-store only at Action in France |
Availability and the rush for stock
The figure sells in-store only at Action locations in France. There is no online basket. Seasonal lines change fast, so timing matters. Busiest days arrive in the final week of October, and shelves can look bare by late afternoon. Staff typically refresh seasonal bays between deliveries, which vary by branch. If you aim to build a full scene, buy the figure first, then match props to its palette.
Limited in-store runs and no online orders mean early visits secure the 183 cm centrepiece before it vanishes.
Set-up, batteries and safety
Three AA cells arrive in the pack, which saves a dash to the corner shop. Intermittent use across an evening often lasts a night or two, but heavy footfall drains cells quicker. Keep a spare set to avoid a silent hour during peak knocking time. Remove the batteries before storage to prevent leakage and corrosion.
The frame feels light, which helps with carrying and packing away. That same lightness invites wind to catch cloaks and hems. Use sandbags or discreet tent pegs on the base if you place it near a draught. Keep fabric away from candles and hot bulbs. Secure loose wires and ensure prams can pass without snagging a wheel.
Ideas to stage your own mini haunt
Think about the journey to the door. Place the figure in view from the street, but not at the kerb. Give visitors one or two steps to adjust. A dim side lamp or lantern creates depth. Static pumpkins frame the scene and keep the eye on the character. A low fogger looks dramatic in photos if used sparingly.
- Set the figure at an angle, so it reveals the face as people approach, not head-on.
- Pair warm fairy lights with the witch; pair cold spotlights with the skeleton or ghost.
- Add a quiet ambient track indoors; let the figure provide the jump outside.
- Mark steps with reflective tape to guide small feet in low light.
For families: tune the fear, not the volume
Small adjustments change the tone. Lower the head to reduce intensity for young visitors. Add a friendly sign that hints at treats ahead. Offer a photo spot off to one side, so hesitant children can interact without facing the loudest part of the routine.
Money, value and alternatives
At €29.95, the figure undercuts many animatronics by a wide margin. The lack of mains power keeps running costs predictable. If you already own rechargeable AAs, the hourly cost sinks further. Households that want scale without sound could hang a tall fabric prop and add a separate motion light, but the all-in-one routine here gives a cleaner set-up for busy evenings.
If branches near you run dry, plan a simple workaround with height. Stack a crate, drape it with a dark cloth and raise a mask or pumpkin to eye level. The human brain reacts to shapes and timing. A sudden light will still prompt a jump, even without animatronics.
Neighbourly etiquette and small risks to weigh
Keep sound within reasonable hours. Some councils publish guidance on night noise, and it helps to finish the performance well before bedtime. Pets can startle at sudden shrieks, so warn nearby owners if your doorstep will fire regular scares. Check fabric for loose threads that might catch rings or zips. Store the figure dry, with silica gel sachets in the box, to avoid mildew between seasons.
Used with care, the figure does more than shock. It pulls people together at the gate, sparks short chats between neighbours and turns a row of houses into a shared set for a single evening. That is a lot of social value from a tall frame, three AA batteries and a price tag under thirty euros.
