Orang Ikan (transl. Fish People) (also known as Monster Island) is a 2024 historical horror film directed by Mike Wiluan. The film stars Dean Fujioka as Saito and Callum Woodhouse as Bronson, two opposing World War II soldiers who wash ashore a Pacific island and encounter the Orang Ikan, a Malay mythological creature. The film premiered at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival and was distributed by Shudder.
Contents
Premise
In 1942 during World War II, a Japanese hell ship is transporting prisoners of war, including a Japanese soldier accused of treason, Saito, and a British POW, Bronson, when it is attacked and sunk by an allied submarine. During the attack, Saito and Bronson, chained together, escape and get ashore on an island in the Pacific Ocean. The two fistfight before realizing they are being watched by a creature in the ocean. Saito and Bronson manage to break their chains and hunt for crabs when two Japanese soldiers approach. The soldiers interrogate Saito when the creature, Malay mythological creature Orang Ikan, attacks and kills the soldiers. Chased by Orang Ikan, Bronson and Saito get separated in the island's forest. Saito discovers a wrecked Japanese fighter plane, along with the body of a Japanese pilot and a male Orang Ikan. Saito and Bronson reunite and discover an Orang Ikan baby in a cave. The mother Orang Ikan arrives at the cave and fights the two. Bronson attempts to blow up the cave with a bomb he scavenged from the wrecked fighter plane when he is impaled by the Orang Ikan. Saito shoots the baby Orang Ikan, prompting the mother to leave Bronson for the baby. Bronson demands that Saito leaves the cave and then detonates the bomb in a suicide attack. Orang Ikan survives the attack and chases after Saito. Saito sets a trap using the corpse of a Japanese soldier and attacks Orang Ikan with his katana. Saito has the chance to stab Orang Ikan in its heart, but decides to let it live and retreat into the forest. Saito is later rescued by the United States Navy.
Cast
Dean Fujioka as Saito
Callum Woodhouse as Bronson
Alan Maxson as Orang Ikan
Alexandra Gottardo
Lucky Moniaga as Orang Melayu
Kazushi Kato as Hell Ship Commander
Teruhiko Kameoka as Hell Ship Soldier #1
Yorihiro Nagai as Hell Ship Soldier #2
Naoki Kawano as Hell Ship Soldier #3
James Edgar Langdong as US Navy Officer
Kôji Miyoshi as Japanese NCO
Production
Development and writing
The film received support from the Singapore Film Commission (SFC). While researching Malay folklore, Wiluan found reports of the Orang Ikan by soldiers during World War II in the Indonesian Kai Islands. Creature from the Black Lagoon, Hell in the Pacific, Alien, Predator, and Island of the Fishmen have been cited by Wiluan and Khoo as influences on the film. Wiluan stated that the film's underlying theme was about humanity and "how humans can destroy something they don't understand." The script also contains themes of colonialism, war, and healing historical wounds. American creature designer Allan Holt worked on the design of the titular creature, utilizing prosthetics and practical effects. The creature's suit was built with a specialized cooling system and animatronic components.
Filming and post-production
Production began in October 2023. The film's production crew was largely from Indonesia, but also included people from Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. The film's ship sequences were shot at Infinite Studios in Batam, Indonesia. The outdoor scenes were shot in Sukabumi and Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark. To create a blend of fiction and history, Wiluan utilized real historical footage of the Asia–Pacific War in the film. The film was produced by Infinite Studios, Gorylah Pictures, and Zhao Wei Films.
Release
SC Films International acquired the film's rights in September 2023. The film premiered at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival. The film's official trailer was released in October 2024. The film was screened at the 2024 Trieste Science+Fiction Festival and the 35th Singapore International Film Festival in December 2024. The film was shown at the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival and Overlook Film Festival in 2025. In April 2025, Shudder acquired the film for release in North America, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. A second trailer was released in June 2025. The film was released at CGV cinemas in Indonesia in July 11, 2025. The film was released on the Shudder streaming service on July 25, 2025.
Reception
On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film received an approval rating of 63% based on 16 reviews.