30 Buildings That Have Such An Evil Aura That They Could Be Supervillain Headquarters (New Pics)

If you’ve read The Shining, seen Poltergeist, or played Amnesia, you know that a house can be more than just a place to live—it can be a source of horror.

Enter if you dare.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

An Abandoned Mansion In The Swamps Of Louisiana

Perhaps The Evilest Of Them All?

Frank McAndrew, who is the Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College and an elected Fellow of several professional organizations, including the Association for Psychological Science (APS), says that the portrayal of cinematic haunted houses has remained remarkably consistent over time.“From a psychological point of view, the standard features of haunted houses trigger feelings of dread because they push buttons in our brains that evolved long before houses even existed,” McAndrewwrites. “These alarm buttons warn us of potential danger and motivate us to proceed with caution.”

“From a psychological point of view, the standard features of haunted houses trigger feelings of dread because they push buttons in our brains that evolved long before houses even existed,” McAndrewwrites. “These alarm buttons warn us of potential danger and motivate us to proceed with caution.”

The Fifa Boardroom Looks Like The Perfect Place To Hold A Super Villian Meeting

Lighthouse In Michigan After An Ice Storm

I Can See Why People Think Prague Is Full Of Vampires

Haunted houses give us the creeps not because they pose an obvious threat to us, but rather because it is unclear whether they represent a threat or not.“This ambivalence leaves you frozen in place, wallowing in unease,” McAndrew explains.For example, it would be considered bizarre and embarrassing to run screaming out of a house that makes you feel uneasy if there is nothing to fear. But on the other hand, it could be perilous to ignore your intuition and remain in a place that feels dangerous.

Haunted houses give us the creeps not because they pose an obvious threat to us, but rather because it is unclear whether they represent a threat or not.

“This ambivalence leaves you frozen in place, wallowing in unease,” McAndrew explains.

For example, it would be considered bizarre and embarrassing to run screaming out of a house that makes you feel uneasy if there is nothing to fear. But on the other hand, it could be perilous to ignore your intuition and remain in a place that feels dangerous.

This Building Looks Cartoonishly Evil

Qatar’s Crescent Tower Looking Even More Evil This Morning

The Bailong Elevator. (Supervillain Lair Vibes)

Under S 204m Tall Brutalism Architecture TV Tower, Serbia. Blade Runner Vibes

Think of it this way: if you’re walking through the woods alone at night and hear something rustling in the bushes, you’ll respond with a heightened level of arousal and attention. You’ll behave as if there is a willful “agent” who plans to harm you.

Literally Evil

This Building Is Up To Something For Sure

Vlasov Roman Is An Architect For Supervillains

Temelin Power Plant With Eyes Projected Onto The Cooling Towers, For Some Reason

“We have evolved to err on the side of detecting threats in ambiguous situations,” McAndrew says.“Things that activate hypervigilance for malevolent supernatural (or natural) agents abound in large, drafty old houses: rattling or creaking sounds in upstairs rooms; the sighing and moaning of wind passing through cracks; ragged curtains fluttering in the breeze; echoes; and cold spots.”

“We have evolved to err on the side of detecting threats in ambiguous situations,” McAndrew says.

“Things that activate hypervigilance for malevolent supernatural (or natural) agents abound in large, drafty old houses: rattling or creaking sounds in upstairs rooms; the sighing and moaning of wind passing through cracks; ragged curtains fluttering in the breeze; echoes; and cold spots.”

German Observation Tower At Guernsey

This Is On A Whole New Level

Spotted On The Amtrak To NYC

The Remains Of A Concrete Apartment Building In Kirovsky, Kamchatka

“Research has consistently shown that we need more personal space while seated than while standing, more space when we are in the corner of a room rather than in the center of it, and more space in rooms with low ceilings,” the psychologist adds.“We feel uncomfortable when our personal space is violated anywhere, but especially so in situations where we feel as if escape will become difficult.“Such feelings of discomfort are symptomatic of the fact that we are constantly—even if unconsciously—scanning our surroundings and evaluating our ability to flee if it should become necessary.Consequently, evil buildings are our worst nightmares.

“We feel uncomfortable when our personal space is violated anywhere, but especially so in situations where we feel as if escape will become difficult.”

Such feelings of discomfort are symptomatic of the fact that we are constantly—even if unconsciously—scanning our surroundings and evaluating our ability to flee if it should become necessary.

Consequently, evil buildings are our worst nightmares.

A War Memorial In Serbia

Gateway Arch In St. Louis At Night

Cologne Cathedral Last Night

The Oldest House In France Has Been Standing There Since 1478

As you may have noticed from looking at the pictures, the older a place is, the more likely we are to perceive it as haunted. McAndrew believes this is because there’s been much more time for tragic things to have happened.“Stimuli such as moldy odors, antiquated Victorian or Gothic architecture, wood interiors, and old portraits on the wall reinforce an ambiance of great age,” he says. “Assuming that the house is no longer occupied, signs of life suddenly interrupted and frozen in time only amplify the fear factor.”

“Stimuli such as moldy odors, antiquated Victorian or Gothic architecture, wood interiors, and old portraits on the wall reinforce an ambiance of great age,” he says. “Assuming that the house is no longer occupied, signs of life suddenly interrupted and frozen in time only amplify the fear factor.”

When You Design A Building That Looks Evil Yet Gorgeous

Nordic Brutalism By Isaac Zuren

Washington D.c. Temple Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints

Eye Of Sauron, Doest It Count?

At the end of the day, whether or not a building can be labeled as evil depends upon more than the physical features of the house. Just as important are the expectations of the person exploring the area. To continue your investigations, fire upour first article on the subreddit ‘Evil Buildings.’

Evil Has Taken Root!