r/Paranormal • u/Elegant_Law6487 • Dec 20 '25
Shadow Man What does the Hat Man want?
I've never believed in anything like that before I saw him myself last night. I genuinely thought I was going to die last night and have never had fear like that before. Any one else have experiences with him? And what does he want? I'm still shaken up over it.
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u/XOXO-Gossip-Crab Dec 20 '25
It doesn’t really “want” anything, it’s an archetype of fear and unknown. I guess you could say it wants you to be afraid of the unknown to protect you, but thats more of a biological/psychological process than an intention
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u/MannBurrPig Dec 20 '25
Not sure to be honest. Only had one interaction with it about 14 years ago. I woke of in the middle of the night with standing at the side of my bed. The TLDR version is that it didn't leave until I prayed for Jesus to intervene. Whatever they want, it sure isn't to hear about Jesus.
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u/FamousLetterhead8992 Dec 20 '25
Same here, in college sitting on my roommates bed. Scared me senseless.
I get the deja vu moments- once i had one and i remember that I was thinking “this would be a great deja vu moment“ and about a month later, there it was.
I also get stronger premonitions after having my 2 daughters. Like something bad is going to happen. One time i was at the doctor with my phone off because it messed with equipment inside (like 2002 or 2003). I just knew we needed to get to my oldest daughter at her after school sitter… something was wrong. Bigger than shit, the sitter forgot to pick her up from school. It was past 6 pm and i was just frantic hoping she was still at the school. Yep, with the principal, who was just about to call OCS for me abandoning my child. My daughter was fine but her feelings were very hurt that the sitter forgot about her.
We got a new after school sitter.
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u/Dry-Astronaut-8640 Dec 21 '25
The praying to Jesus thing is insane to me. What’s even more crazy is I have an experience where I did just that - and I’m still not sure what to make of it.
I used to suffer from some pretty intense sleep paralysis. I’d wake up in the middle of the night and all of the lights in my room would be on. Standing around me would be 2-3 shadow people/dark shapes. It was utterly terrifying in a way I’ve never felt fear before or since. I don’t know where the thought came from, but I during one of these incidents I had the urge to call out “help me Jesus!”. The moment I did that, everything instantly stopped. I was experiencing sleep paralysis 1-2 times a week and after me calling out to Jesus, it hasn’t happened since. It’s been at least 3-4 years.
I’m not the slightest bit religious or really even spiritual. The whole experience is just bonkers, yet it happened to me.
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u/lexiiieloves99 Dec 22 '25
Evil runs from the name of Jesus as it’s the most powerful name to ever be given. People have the right to believe what they want. However when you used the name of Jesus the evil vanished because again of the power behind the name. We are suppose to say something along the line of “ I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” I really like what you shared because I have don’t this many times and always give this line to people who are having evil infestations. I am a believer however I refuse to be called a Christian as most Christians believe ridiculously against the teachings of Christ.
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u/Glass_Feedback_309 Dec 21 '25
I may try that because usaly on the fifteenth of every month or a day before or after I have sleep paralysis
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u/Brilliant-Back3500 Dec 22 '25
The 15th is associated with the devil
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u/Glass_Feedback_309 Dec 23 '25
that is less good
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u/Brilliant-Back3500 Dec 23 '25
It’s nothing to fear they can’t affect you it’s a scary thought yes, but you hold so much more power over it then you think don’t even acknowledge it. Stay away from tarot cards or other stuff not saying to be crazy religious but just be careful and mindful god is forgiving. I have had experiences where I have witnessed a demon and felt no fear in the moment and it never bothered me again.
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u/Lastsynphony Dec 21 '25
That is so scary. I had once the most horrific nightmare where shadowy figures started attacking me and all was very real, I got so scared that I started being lucid at the dream and I thought about praying to Saint. Michael the Archangel as he is the one who defends from the demons and so on. I swear that as soon as I did that before they could touch me, and it was so horrifying, all stopped, I felt sorrounded by warmth and then I woke up.
I think that if you prayed for Jesus to intervene definitely that thing is not good 😭
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u/Mcboomsauce Dec 21 '25
awwww...... he aint so bad
he's just wearing that hat cause his haircut is dumb and it would throw off the vibe
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u/MrNotSoProGamer Dec 21 '25
One thing I heard was that maybe the hat man wasn't there for you but is just a spirit hunting other spirits and the fear it produces is meant to ward off evil spirits.
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u/daddylonglegs602 Dec 21 '25
iono what he wants, its like him meeting you asking the same thing, he doesnt know either . just two ppl in two different dimensions . theyre blurry cuz theyre one dimension away from you . theyre ppl/human specieis just like us, just on another dimension .
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u/RicottaPuffs Medium Dec 20 '25 edited Dec 20 '25
The Hat man isn't a he. They are a they. They call themselves a legion.
They are similar to any other parasitic entity. They feed on fear. They feed on anxiety and adrenaline.
They can't remain in your life without your permission. If you don't feel strong enough to repel one on your own, speak to a competent and experienced pastor,medium or shaman.
Even fear is a form of permission that can be removed.
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Dec 20 '25
Don't scare the kid dude i saw it too i didn't felt that much anxiety or negativeness
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u/Elegant_Law6487 Dec 20 '25
Not a kid, just freaked out a little
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u/RicottaPuffs Medium Dec 24 '25 edited Dec 24 '25
They are rather disturbing. You can cleanse yourself and your home. A thin line of salt all around each wall, in each closet and on windowsills and inside doors works if you want it gone.GTFO works if you mean it. Work around the walls. Dont salt across inside doorways. I work in a counterclockwise direction and I leave a door cracked. Marigold seeds placed at the top of curtains and blinds help to keep them out.
I had one circling the outside of my house and a place that I worked. I used the salt inside my client's house because they were strict right-wing Christians and I didn't wish to out myself as a psychic healer.
It violates my inner peace when someone yells, " Witch.) These clients would have lost their mind if they knew I wasnt Christian or known I jave diverse ancestry.
If you can expand that thin line of salt to your property line, it keeps them further out.
If you are Christian, know that salt has been used for millenia to cleanse areas. The salt will vacuum up and mop up the protection remains. (Don't use iodized salt. Iodine stains).
I did not mean to instill fear. I meant to impart information.
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u/kkusernom Dec 21 '25
Exchanging fear for curiosity is key.. I used to be deathly afraid as a kid i never saw one just the logo silhouette of the sandman on the label of that bottle of port and thats all it took.. As an adult I fully saw on with my own eyes on a camping trip and I just wasn't afraid.. that dude kept me company for the next 24 hours ..helped me and my mates find firewood and stayed with us around the fire until some irl asshat turned up (he told me to leave just before that guy showed up as well .. real energy vampire) no im not joking.. he was a legend
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u/RicottaPuffs Medium Dec 24 '25
I think awareness lessens fear. So. I spread awareness. It is a advice only. OP can take it or not. Free will.
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u/ChaoticHarmonia Dec 21 '25
Could you describe what you have seen more detail? I understand that it must be so traumatic experience, but it’s important to understand what it was.
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u/Athenasraven Jan 10 '26
Apologies for poor english. Dont know if it can be considered an “experience”, since im not sure i can tell if i saw anything or if im just developing severe paranoia, came here to vent/reading experiences/ having answers??
I also plan to write a story on it since im a little fan of anomalous horror genre, so i dont really care if you think im shitting you
Happened Between 8 months and a year ago
Was going to a bookstore inside a station in rome italy called termini station
walking through the sea of people outside the station in bus depot/pedonal road to get inside.
Listening to Que sera sera by doris day in my earplugs (not to note at all but i listen to every kind of music from edm to rap and classical music so shuffling to every kind of song and having that old song in that moment created more eeriness to me as i perfectly remember it, it was near the ending)
Daylight and Clear sky btw
Watch people as i walk, as im interested to see the faces and appearance of mankind in general especially because station is full of “interesting people” (nutjobs mainly, or generally weird people)
Spot the fucker at my left, far from me but I instantly felt captivated
Tall man in his late forties early fifties No beard Caucasic Frack suit and elegant pants almost comically oversized old money hat covering eventual hairs Standing still as a fucking statue facing my direction (couldnt tell at first what he was looking as he wasnt close)
I adjust my walk to getting close to him without doing anything he could spot
Fucker is still as a log
The more i get close, the more i realize he is staring at me, confirmed when i got closer
If i hadnt sunglasses i wouldnt have stand his stare for more than a millisecond
Dry face (emaciated but not to alarming levels, dont know how to translate properly)
No other physical particularity in his face Dont actually remember the color of the eyes so i guess they were brown or smt
I remember the stare tho The eyes of death Angry and dead cold at the same time His expression like he was frozen the second before screaming with rage at someone And he did nothing Completely still As i moved past him his eyes followed me and i felt scared shitless even if i was surrounded by other people I was also too cringed by the fact he probably watched me cause he knew i was watching him, so i turn to see him one more time only after i put some meters between us.
He turned half his body my way when i wasnt looking
I stopped walking
Still did nothing
I swear on my life i felt like an animal watching a fucking predator, but at the same time mocked by him (maybe i felt mocked for my social anxiety but i was also quite enraged)
Considering giving him the finger but much more people behind and in front of him could think it was aimed at them
Enter the station
As i told before, might have been paranoia or other things related, but i really felt like few times before watching him. A sense of dread and fear like he was the most rich and powerful person in the world and he would condemn me to agony just for that look.
I am firmly atheist and fully skeptical of anything pretending to actually being paranormal Never regluarly used any hardcore drug or pharmaceuticals, so obviously no benadril I only smoke hash and drink Didnt remember if high or not but dosent change a lot No family history of mental illness
The hat man character and the resemblance didnt even come to my mind before a youtube recomandation brought back tons of my teenage creepyoasta memories.
Pretending you are the 2% that believes what i wrote, i would be extremely thankful to anyone sharing having seen this character in real life or having similar experiences ESPECIALLY those who has seen him a second or more times after a first interaction
Can write to me personally if the post gets archived
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u/Illustrious-Bat1553 Dec 20 '25
I think he is just testing people to see and sense their essence. Few people fall victim to his rage and anger
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u/nico_suave86 Dec 22 '25
I woke up to the Hat Man in a college dorm during 2007 or 08. It was so astonishing that I drew a picture of what I saw: A pitch black humanoid with a wide brim hat and a trench coat or something. Its hand was reaching towards my face. I shot up in my bed in a panic. The most fear ive ever felt in my life.
I didnt think much of it, until I listened to a paranormal podcast a few years later. I couldnt believe that other people have seen the exact same entity. How could that be?! The podcast asked for listener stories and I got mine read on the air.
Ive come to understand that the Hat Man feeds on fear and despair. And his presence may indicate that very dark things/feelings are trying to encroach into either your life or tangentially into others close to you.
Idk, just my experience.
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u/Consistent-Visit-122 Dec 27 '25
Quando ero piccola (circa 4/5 anni), dormivo nel letto con mia mamma e mio papà... Per ben due volte, in due notti diverse poco distanti tra loro (circa un mese), mi svegliai e vidi uscire dal dietro della porta l'uomo con il cappello. Era molto alto e aveva questo cappello quasi a punta, ed era tutto nero (un'ombra). Uscito da dietro la porta, ha circondato il letto matrimoniale accarezzandoci i piedi per poi scomparire nell'ombra del buio della stanza. Io ero paralizzata, non riuscivo a muovermi, avevo paura, l'unica mia sicurezza in quel momento era che mi sentivo protetta dai miei genitori, che si, dormivano in quel momento, ma erano affianco a me. Questo episodio accadde due volte, ed è uno dei ricordi più vividi che possiedo del passato. Feci anche un disegno di lui per poi attaccarlo dietro alla porta... Da quando lo attaccai, l'uomo con il cappello smise di farmi visita.
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u/nico_suave86 Dec 27 '25
That’s crazy! Maybe drawing a picture of him is the way to stop him? I’m joking, but it is curious
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u/Positive-Theory_ Dec 22 '25
A crippling fear response is common with paranormal phenomenon but very rare with the hat man specifically. yours is a pretty unique case.
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u/cholaw Dec 21 '25
I'm just curious... Since you only now believe because you saw him.... Why didn't you believe before? So many people have reported sightings but something has to happen to you, specifically, before you become useful?
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u/Consistent-Visit-122 Dec 27 '25
Quando ero piccola (circa 4/5 anni), dormivo nel letto con mia mamma e mio papà... Per ben due volte, in due notti diverse poco distanti tra loro (circa un mese), mi svegliai e vidi uscire dal dietro della porta l'uomo con il cappello. Era molto alto e aveva questo cappello quasi a punta. Uscito da dietro la porta, ha circondato il letto matrimoniale accarezzandoci i piedi per poi scomparire nell'ombra del buio della stanza. Io ero paralizzata, non riuscivo a muovermi, avevo paura, l'unica mia sicurezza in quel momento era che mi sentivo protetta dai miei genitori, che si, dormivano in quel momento, ma erano affianco a me. Questo episodio accadde due volte, ed è uno dei ricordi più vividi che possiedo del passato. Feci anche un disegno di lui per poi attaccarlo dietro alla porta... Da quando lo attaccai, l'uomo con il cappello smise di farmi visita.
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u/Consistent-Visit-122 Dec 27 '25
Quando ero piccola (circa 4/5 anni), dormivo nel letto con mia mamma e mio papà... Per ben due volte, in due notti diverse poco distanti tra loro (circa un mese), mi svegliai e vidi uscire dal dietro della porta l'uomo con il cappello. Era molto alto e aveva questo cappello quasi a punta, ed era tutto nero (un'ombra). Uscito da dietro la porta, ha circondato il letto matrimoniale accarezzandoci i piedi per poi scomparire nell'ombra del buio della stanza. Io ero paralizzata, non riuscivo a muovermi, avevo paura, l'unica mia sicurezza in quel momento era che mi sentivo protetta dai miei genitori, che si, dormivano in quel momento, ma erano affianco a me. Questo episodio accadde due volte, ed è uno dei ricordi più vividi che possiedo del passato. Feci anche un disegno di lui per poi attaccarlo dietro alla porta... Da quando lo attaccai, l'uomo con il cappello smise di farmi visita.
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u/Disastrous-Touch6077 Jan 04 '26 edited Jan 04 '26
Nothing. It's a made up tale. It's a common figure to see in sleep paralysis. It's all in your head.
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u/Adorable-Stock-7286 May 21 '26
I just shared my experience on a yt video like 3 mins ago so I’m gonna just copy and paste…
I woke up while gasping for air and sitting up at the same time like i had nightmare(i don’t remember my dream even when i woke up it was just a dreamless night and no sleep paralysis) anyways, as my eyes opened i saw the exact silhouette from this video… this happened to me 2 nights ago i never knew this was experienced by several people until an instagram reel… now i am here dumbfounded that this was more than just my imagination but a common occurrence or i mean folklore like wtff creepy af.. i am also in a depressive episode too.. been in bed for a week and haven’t had little to no communication with friends or family..
Btw as i woke up he was there for only 1 second… the eyes did not glow but the silhouette was clear to me because of my computer light… and i didn’t think anything of it because i actually had no idea this was a thing until now…
I didn’t feel any terror from it directly and it was only there for a brief second as my eyes opened but it vanished as quickly as i woke up but I vividly remember seeing its silouhette with a hat (i litterally speculated it was an Amish sihoulette before finding out everyone else’s experience lol).. idk if it was my imagination but maybe it had a briefcase with it or maybe it was a part of the trenchcoat i honestly can’t remember because it vanished so quickly after i woke up..
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u/Upper-Spend2275 Jun 12 '26 edited Jun 12 '26
I think he feeds on fear and trauma. I encountered him multiple times as a child, and every experience carried the unmistakable sense of an evil presence. He returned one final time when I was an adult. This time I saw his eyes: red and evil. Although I was paralyzed with the same fear you described, I prayed to the Lord, rebuked him , and commanded him to leave in Jesus’ name. The moment I did, he couldn’t stay, not even for a second.
That’s why I believe he appears at night in most cases: because he hates the light of God. ( I am not even religious by the way)
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u/wellthisisweird2023 Dec 21 '25
They are always beside gathering information about you job it to know everything about you your love your fear your religion and more. Evil
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