Shudder Secures Rights to Mike Wiluan’s “Orang Ikan”
Streaming service Shudder has officially secured the rights to the historical horror film Orang Ikan, alternatively known as Monster Island, for distribution in North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
The sales of this World War II-themed movie were managed by SC Films International. The film premiered globally last year at the Tokyo International Film Festival, where it was featured in the Gala Selection.
The film is a collaborative production involving Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and the UK. It stars Japanese actor Dean Fujioka, known from Fullmetal Alchemist, and British actor Callum Woodhouse, famous for his role in All Creatures Great & Small.
Plot Inspired by Malay Mythology and Classic Cinema
Set in the year 1942, Orang Ikan begins with a Japanese ship carrying prisoners of war (POWs) to territories under occupation for forced labor. The plot takes a thrilling turn when the ship is destroyed by allied submarines, leaving a Japanese soldier and a British POW stranded on a remote island. It is here that they encounter the Orang Ikan, a fearsome creature from Malay folklore, similar to the creature seen in the 1954 classic Creature from the Black Lagoon. The film chronicles the survival struggles of the soldier and POW as they unite against a common supernatural threat, despite their initial enmities.
The film’s writer and director, Mike Wiluan, expressed his enthusiasm about Shudder’s acquisition, noting the platform’s aptitude for hosting genre films that resonate well with audiences who appreciate monster lore. “Orang Ikan offers a unique pan-Asian twist to the creature feature genre and delves into the complexities of human nature in wartime,” Wiluan remarked.
Wiluan, who has previously co-produced Crazy Rich Asians and produced other notable films like Losmen Melati and Buffalo Boys, brings a rich background in film production to this project.
The production team includes prominent Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo (Spirit World) and Tan Fong Cheng (Ramen Shop) from Zhao Wei Films, as well as Freddie Yeo, known for his work on Westworld and Crazy Rich Asians, from Infinite Studios and Fumie Suzuki Lancaster (Gensan Punch) of SC Films.
Fumie Suzuki Lancaster shared her excitement about the project, highlighting the film’s intense suspense and emotional depth. “Working with such a distinguished team has been an extraordinary experience. We are confident that Orang Ikan will captivate global audiences with its thrilling and emotionally engaging narrative,” she added.
In addition to Orang Ikan, SC Films is promoting other titles at Cannes this year, including Jungle Beat 2: The Past, new footage from Girl in the Clouds, the live-action feature Grow, and the psychological thriller Breeder.
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