The intriguing blend of Malay folklore and Creature From the Black Lagoon has finally found a home. Exclusively announced by Deadline this morning, the anticipated historical creature feature, Orang Ikan, also known as Monster Island, has been picked up by horror streaming giant Shudder for North America, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand release. The film previously had its European premiere at the Trieste Science + Fiction Festival in the Asteroid Competition and its Southeast Asian premiere at the Singapore International Film Festival.
Set during World War II, Orang Ikan sees a Japanese Hell Ship transporting prisoners of war (POWs) to occupied territories for slave labor. Onboard the ship is Saito, a traitor to the Japanese who is being sent back to the motherland to be sentenced to death. As further punishment, he is shackled to Bronson, a POW from the United Kingdom who hates Saito for his Japanese nationality. When the Hell Ship is torpedoed by Allied submarines, Saito and Bronson are thrown overboard and wash ashore a deserted island. But, unbeknownst to the two men, they are not alone.
Bronson and Saito are hunted by a monstrous creature- the Orang Ikan- who will stop at nothing until both men are dead. Bronson and Saito must put aside their hatred for one another to survive the island and kill the creature before it kills them first.
“I’m very proud to have Shudder present the film in territories that have a rich history and appreciation for creature films,” said writer-director Wiluan. “The ‘Fish Man’ folklore is a globally recognised phenomenon that has enjoyed several re-incarnations. Orang Ikan is a pan-Asian interpretation of the genre that also questions the nature of humanity during times of war.”
Orang Ikan is produced by Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo (Spirit World) and Tan Fong Cheng (Ramen Shop) at Zhao Wei Films alongside Freddie Yeo (Westworld, Crazy Rich Asians) at Infinite Studios and Fumie Suzuki Lancaster (Gensan Punch) of SC Films.
Lancaster added: “We were thrilled to work with such a talented and acclaimed team. The film has great nail-biting tension from beginning to end combined with plenty of unexpected emotional twists. We believe Orang Ikan has great potential, and we’re confident that audiences around the world will be just as excited.”
Orang Ikan stars Dean Fujioka (Fullmetal Alchemist, The Man From The Sea) and Callum Woodhouse (All Creatures Great and Small, The Durrells), with Alan Maxson (Godzilla: King of the Monsters) portraying the monstrous Orang Ikan. The creature suit was designed by Hollywood’s acclaimed Special Effects Creator Allan Holt (Jurassic World, Underworld: Blood Wars).
Check out the official trailer below:
