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 stranded on a deserted island, pursued by a lethal creature. The two enemies must unite in order to survive the dangers that lie ahead.

      The official description of Shudder’s latest exclusive, Monster Island (also known as Orang Ikan, which translates to “Fish Man” in Indonesian), references several notable elements to entice potential viewers, including Malay folklore and classic B-movies like Creature from the Black Lagoon.

      You can certainly observe these declared influences in the film, with aquatic frights, nods to Southeast Asian cryptids, and a primary antagonist that is a half-sympathetic amphibian fiercely protecting its territory. However, the promotional materials fail to highlight that one of the most significant comparisons you’ll likely draw with Monster Island is to Predator—a connection that director Mike Wiluan makes abundantly clear.

      If you’ve seen the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger classic, the similarities are impossible to miss. The film features military figures navigating a tropical jungle for much of the runtime, a camouflaged monster that announces itself with guttural clicks, and a climax that has the protagonist forgoing modern weapons for a more primal confrontation. The filmmakers even lift certain scenes directly from Predator, including the memorable moment when the eponymous hunter tends to its glowing green wounds during a downtime.

      In Orang Ikan’s defense, there are few beloved films—perhaps only Alien and Mad Max—that are as straightforward for low-budget productions to emulate as John McTiernan's action-packed classic. The premise requires neither a large cast nor extravagant sets—just access to a nearby forest and an actor willing to endure the discomfort of wearing a makeshift Halloween costume for an hour and a half.

      Nevertheless, it’s worth recognizing that this film is a step above most other Predator imitations. While it may not offer a particularly unique narrative, the script is respectable, the acting is solid, the technical execution is more than adequate, and the creature suit is surprisingly believable. The film is enhanced by picturesque tropical scenery, created through a skillful mix of soundstage and location shooting, making it enjoyable for a casual Friday night watch.

      Monster Island is effectively a period piece set during WW2, beginning aboard a Japanese “hell ship” that transports prisoners of war to the mainland for slave labor exploitation. These ships earned infamy for housing their human cargo in extremely cramped, humid, unsanitary, and generally inhospitable conditions. Disease was rampant, ventilation was poor, and captives often suffered cruel mistreatment and lack of basic necessities like food and water.

      Our two main characters are introduced amidst this horrific backdrop. On one side is Saito (Dean Fujioka), a disgraced member of the imperial army who has fallen out of favor with his superiors for reasons unknown. Opposite him is Bronsan (Callum Woodhouse), a British prisoner of war who seizes every chance to rebel against his captors.

      For whatever act of defiance he has committed, Saito is set to face execution as a public spectacle upon returning to Japan. However, this fate is postponed when an allied submarine torpedoes the hell ship, unbeknownst that it was carrying prisoners.

      In the chaos that follows, Saito and Bronsan seize the opportunity to escape and find themselves as castaways on an uncharted island in the Pacific. Chained together by the ankle—a cruel punishment enforced just seconds before the naval attack—their fates become intertwined, and they must overcome their differences, along with a significant language barrier, to survive.

      Unfortunately, the film doesn’t explore this subplot as much as it might. While one would expect some tension from the mutual distrust between the soldiers, they seemingly become allies overnight, and within the first 25 minutes, they have freed themselves from their chains. The script rushes past any potential human drama to jump into the anticipated action.

      Speaking of which, the movie’s title, Monster Island, is quite fitting! Shortly after Saito and Bronsan liberate themselves, a group of imperial officers washes ashore and meets a grisly end at the hands of the native "Orang Ikan." With piranha-like teeth, jet black eyes, and a scaly dorsal fin, it resembles a fusion of the classic Gil Man and the trench-dwelling creatures from the first Aquaman. This formidable antagonist sets the stage for a primitive cat-and-mouse game, where survival is far from guaranteed.

      From that point on, the film adheres closely to the Predator formula, checking off all the expected tropes: jungle stalking scenes, moonlit battle preparations, and a grand finale involving a large explosive device. While we hesitate to spoil too much, anyone