The upcoming WWII horror film Orang Ikan, directed by Mike Wiluan, promises a gripping blend of survival, folklore, and humanity set against the dark days of the Pacific conflict. Recently premiered in the Tokyo International Film Festival’s Gala section, Orang Ikan tells the story of two unlikely allies—a British prisoner of war named Bronson and a Japanese soldier, Saito—who are stranded on a deserted island after their ship is torpedoed. Forced together in an environment where trust is scarce, the two must not only navigate their cultural divide but also escape a mythic monster: the Orang Ikan, a terrifying creature rumored to lurk in the seas of East Asia.
Wiluan, known for Buffalo Boys and Crazy Rich Asians, draws inspiration for Orang Ikan from both Malay folklore and historical accounts of eerie sightings by Japanese forces stationed in East Indonesia. Blending these elements, Orang Ikan mirrors the tone of classic monster films, including Jack Arnold’s 1954 Creature from the Black Lagoon, while adding a unique Asian interpretation of the genre. Wiluan’s approach brings a chilling twist to the film as he weaves folklore with the historical brutality of WWII.
The cast includes Dean Fujioka, known from Fullmetal Alchemist, as Saito, a soldier marked as a traitor to Japan, and Callum Woodhouse from All Creatures Great and Small as Bronson. Fujioka’s Saito, shackled to Bronson when their ship is attacked, finds himself trapped in a nightmare on the deserted island where a horrifying struggle for survival and humanity unfolds.
Orang Ikan brings not only a supernatural horror element but also a deep message of camaraderie. Drawing inspiration from John Boorman’s classic Hell in the Pacific, the film explores how two men from warring nations find brotherhood amid devastating circumstances, battling a common enemy in nature’s darkest forces.
With its Asian premieres at both the Trieste Science + Fiction Festival and the Singapore International Film Festival, Orang Ikan has already generated excitement. Produced by a talented team, including Freddie Yeo and Eric Khoo, the film’s powerful storytelling and unique mix of horror, history, and humanity set it apart as a highly anticipated release in the horror genre.
