Shudder Dives Into Folklore Terror with “Monster Island” This July

A WWII soldier and POW must face a mythical horror in Shudder’s Monster Island.

A deserted island. A mythical beast. And two enemies who must survive it together.

Shudder is closing out July with teeth, claws, and saltwater terror thanks to Monster Island, the latest creature feature from director Mike Wiluan (Buffalo Boys). Premiering exclusively on Shudder Friday, July 25, this WWII-set monster flick is steeped in the eerie atmosphere of classic horror throwbacks and delivers a practical effects showcase we didn’t realize we were missing.

Set during World War II, Monster Island follows a Japanese transport ship carrying prisoners of war to occupied territories. After it’s torpedoed by Allied submarines, only two survivors remain: a Japanese soldier and a British POW. Their new battlefield is a remote, deserted island — but this isn’t just a tale of survival. Something else is stalking the jungle. Something older, angrier, and far more monstrous.

Enter the Orang Ikan — a terrifying creature from Malay mythology that blends aquatic nightmare with jungle ferocity. As the two men attempt to overcome their cultural divide and work together, the real enemy proves to be something neither of them could’ve imagined.

Starring Dean Fujioka (Fullmetal Alchemist) and Callum Woodhouse (All Creatures Great & Small), Monster Island blends period tension, man-versus-beast thrills, and the kind of practical monster effects that will scratch the same nostalgic itch as Creature from the Black Lagoon and early Amblin-era horror.

With practical FX making a big comeback in genre storytelling, this homage to classic monster movies feels like a fresh yet familiar bite of horror. Whether you’re a fan of kaiju-lore, wartime thrillers, or tropical terror, this one should definitely be on your radar.

If Prey and The Host had a WWII-era baby raised on rubber suits and jungle pulp, it might look something like Monster Island — and we’re not mad at it.

Monster Island premieres *exclusively on Shudder Friday, July 25.