Film settings can leave a more significant impact than we think. Some are temporarily built for technicalities. However, real locations are often utilised in many projects within the filmmaking industry.
In this spooky piece, we have compiled a number among thousands of other locations that have housed chill-inducing productions around the world. You might be in for a fright to find some of them right here in Malaysia!
1. Amber Court, Genting Highlands (Haunted Hotel 2, Ryon Lee)
Situated on grounds higher than the more populated areas housing the First World Hotel (which is equally as spooky if not grim), this complex, which is presently known as Golden Hills Resort, is surprisingly not entirely devoid of daring visitors of Genting Highlands and even cast and crew of Haunted Hotel 2, apparently.
Address: Amber Court, Jalan Ion D’Elemen, 69000 Genting Highlands, Pahang
Phone: +03-6101 1204
2. Timberline Lodge, Oregon (The Shining, Stanley Kubrick)
It is well-established by now that the Timberline Lodge merely served as the exterior for Kubrick’s Overlook Hotel. However, that did not stop this enchanting accommodation from using the reputation to their advantage through souvenirs and seasonal The Shining experience that they offer.
Address: 27500 E Timberline Road, Government Camp, OR 97028, United States
Phone: +1 503-272-3311
3. Oakley Court, UK (Rocky Horror Picture Show, Jim Sharman)
One of the most famed locations for filming, the Oakley Court boasts 95 rooms available for bookings. Reputation aside, the castle is charming on its own for its Victorian Gothic roots. It’s no wonder multiple films have been filmed here, which include the Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Man in Black.
Address: Oakley Court, Windsor Road, Water Oakley, Windsor, SL4 5UR, UK
Phone: +44 (0) 1753 609988
4. Palazzo Vecchio, Italy (Hannibal, Ridley Scott)
Though often overshadowed by its Academy Award-winning predecessor, Ridley Scott’s Hannibal remains as eerily decorated by its charismatic villain, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Any cinephile would recognise this city of Florence’s town hall as the backdrop for a rather gruesome depiction of a murder in the movie.
Address: Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Phone: +601548770486 (MY)
5. Port Hope Town Hall, Canada (It, Andy Muschietti)
A fellow town hall in this compilation, this place masqueraded as a library within the fictional town of Derry in the highest-grossing horror movie of all time, It. Unlike Palazzo Vecchio, no guided tours are arranged here, though you would be pleased to spot other familiar locations in town as almost the entirety of the film and its sequel were filmed in Port Hope. An It Walking Tour is even offered as a part of Port Hope Tourism.
Address: 56 Queen Street., Port Hope ON L1A 3Z9
Phone: +905-885-4544
6. Karak Highway (Karak, Yusry Abdul Halim)
Fancy a long drive? This 60-kilometre interstate controlled-access highway in Peninsular Malaysia serves road users well with its convenience and creepy tales. From sightings of a driverless yellow Volkswagen (never overtake it!) to a lost schoolboy searching for his mother, you can feel the atmosphere replicated in Yusry Abdul Halim’s Karak while driving.
Phone: 603-6195 1111
7. Photisat Cave, Loei, Thailand (The Medium, Banjong Pisanthanakun)
Your visions of this place may now be painted by the Thai-South Korean supernatural folk horror. Still, it will be well worth it as this location is part of the Wat Tham Phra Photisat, which houses temples and other spectacular stalagmites and stalactites in various sizes. Essentially, you will be getting so much more than you bargained for.
Address: Mu 10 Thap Kwang Kaeng Khoi Saraburi 18260
Phone: +66 3524 6076
8. Jembatan Plunyon Kalikuning, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (KKN Desa Penari, Joko Anwar)
Unlike the now-abandoned house where KKN Desa Penari was filmed, this bridge from the opening scene when the students first arrived in the village remains a tourist attraction for fans of Joko Anwar’s film, which blew up both in Indonesia and Malaysia upon its release.
Address: Kedungsriti, RT.01/RW.06, Umbulharjo, Cangkringan, Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 55583
9. Salzspeicher, Lubeck, Germany (Nosferatu, F.W. Murnau)
Currently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 16th-century salt storehouse was home to an equally important piece of cinematic history: F.W. Murnau’s 1922 Nosferatu. Having paved the path for modern horror, especially as the only adaption of Dracula at the time that was seen to be “primarily interested in horror”, the piece will be receiving its own adaptation this year from The Witch’s fame, Robert Eggers.
Address: Wallstrasse 1, 23560 Lubeck, Schleswig-Holstein Germany
Phone: +49 451 8899700
10. Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur (Beringin, Rosihan Zain, Hazo Mahayuddin)
Eerie stories may have motivated a local horror telemovie, Beringin, to be filmed in this legendary school, producing notable alumni like Mokhtar Dahari and Ananda Krishnan. However, since it is still in operation, it may not be your usual tourist attraction, though you may arrange a visit if you’re keen.
Address: Victoria Institution, Jln Hang Tuah, Bukit Bintang, 55200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +60 320782489
11. Han River, Seoul, South Korea (The Host, Bong Joon Ho)
This river that runs through Seoul needs no introduction, much like The Host‘s director, Bong Joon Ho. It has an especially fascinating night view that you can elevate with a touch of thrill by catching a glimpse of The Host monster’s replica erected between the Mapo and Wonhyo Bridge.
Address: 257, Gangbyeonbuk-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Phone: +82-2-1330
12. Kati Ghati Gateway, Chanderi (Stree, Amar Kaushik)
A historical monument, this site is not simply just a filming location for one of the very last scenes of Stree. The story goes that the mason who undertook the gateway project took his own life after accidentally jeopardising Chanderi’s safety by not building a door for it. His remains were said to be entombed near his incomplete project.
Address: M4WJ+MRF, Chanderi City Bypass Rd, Chanderi, Ramnagar, Madhya Pradesh 473446
Phone: (07543)-222800
13. St Peter’s Church, Laleham Road, Staines, Surrey (The Omen, Richard Donner)
The Omen makes you think about its many iconically scary scenes, like the priest getting spiked by a lightning conductor and Gregory Peck’s character’s attempted murder of his diabolical Antichrist son, Damien. Well, this location serves as a backdrop for the latter.
Address: St Peter’s Church, Laleham Road, Staines, Greater London TW18 2DX
Phone: 01784 469155
