Monster Island (2025) - Film Review

      **Monster Island, 2025.**

      Directed by Mike Wiluan.

      Starring Dean Fujioka, Callum Woodhouse, and Alan Maxson.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      Set against the backdrop of World War II, a Japanese soldier and a British prisoner of war find themselves marooned on a deserted island, pursued by a lethal creature. The two adversaries must unite to survive the dangers that lie ahead. The official synopsis for Shudder’s latest exclusive, *Monster Island* (also known as *Orang Ikan*, or "Fish Man" in Indonesian), highlights several key influences to entice viewers, ranging from Malay folklore to classic B-movies such as *Creature from the Black Lagoon*.

      You can certainly identify these proclaimed inspirations throughout the film, with its aquatic terror, references to Southeast Asian cryptids, and the main antagonist being a web-footed, somewhat sympathetic amphibian fiercely protecting its territory. However, what the marketing materials overlook is how closely *Monster Island* resembles *Predator*. This influence is not just hinted at; it’s boldly etched into the very fabric of the film!

      Unless you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t seen the iconic 1987 Schwarzenegger film, you won’t miss the striking similarities. You have military personnel wandering through a tropical jungle for much of the film, a camouflaged creature that announces its presence with guttural clicking sounds, and a climax where our hero forsakes modern weaponry to engage in a more primal confrontation with his foe. Furthermore, there are specific scenes borrowed directly from *Predator*, including the moment where the titular hunter tends to its neon green wounds during a pause.

      In defense of *Orang Ikan*, there are not many cherished films — outside perhaps *Alien* and *Mad Max* — that are as accessible for low-budget productions to replicate as John McTiernan’s iconic work. After all, the premise doesn’t necessitate a large cast or expensive sets; all that’s really required is access to a forest and an actor ready to endure the discomfort of wearing a low-quality Halloween costume for an hour and a half.

      To give credit where it's due, this film is a notch above many other *Predator* imitations. While it might not break new ground in storytelling, the script is good, the acting is solid, the technical execution is more than adequate, and the creature suit holds up well to scrutiny. Add to that some stunning exotic scenery, thanks to a convincing mix of soundstage and location shooting, and it makes for an entertaining choice for a Friday night.

      Essentially a period piece, *Monster Island* unfolds during WWII and begins aboard a Japanese "hell ship" transporting prisoners of war back to Japan (intended for exploitation as slave labor). If you're unaware, these vessels were infamous for keeping their human cargo in extremely cramped, humid, and unhygienic conditions. Disease thrived, ventilation was poor, and captives often experienced brutal treatment alongside deprivation of fundamental needs like food and water.

      Our main characters are introduced amid this horrific backdrop. On one side, we have Saito (Dean Fujioka), a disgraced soldier of the imperial army who, for unspecified reasons, has fallen out of favor with his superiors, and on the other, Bronsan (Callum Woodhouse): a British POW who lashes out at his captors whenever possible.

      In retaliation for whatever insubordination Saito has shown, he is marked for execution when they reach Japan as a lesson to others. Luckily for him, this execution is postponed when an allied submarine torpedoes the hell ship, unaware it carries friendly prisoners.

      Taking advantage of the chaos, Saito and Bronsan manage to escape and wash up on a deserted landmass in the Pacific Ocean. Chained together by the ankle — a cruel punishment enforced just moments before the submarine attack — their fates are now linked, and they must navigate their differences (along with a language barrier) if they hope to survive.

      Unfortunately, the film doesn’t delve as deeply into this subplot as it could. One might expect some tension from the mutual distrust between these two soldiers, but they quickly become allies, and within 25 minutes, they are already freed from their chains. The narrative seems eager to rush towards the aforementioned *Predator*-esque action, speeding past any potential human drama.

      And indeed, the film doesn't shy away from its title! After Saito and Bronsan separate from their chains, a group of imperial officers washes ashore and, in a vividly graphic scene, are brutally slaughtered by the native “Orang Ikan.” Sporting piranha-like teeth, jet-black eyes, and a scaly dorsal fin, this creature resembles a hybrid of the classic Gil Man and the trench-dwelling beings from the first *Aquaman*. It serves as an excellent antagonist, thrusting our heroes into a primitive game of cat and mouse