Movie review: Orang Ikan (2024)

Hello everyone, welcome to my blog once again. It feels absolutely refreshing to be here. For today, I’ll be taking y’all on a wild and haunting cinematic journey straight into the murky waters of mystery, folklore, and survival. I'm talking about Orang Ikan (2024), a film that redefines what it means to blend horror, mythology, and human drama into one unforgettable experience.

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Now, let me just say this I’ve always been fascinated by Southeast Asian mythology, and Orang Ikan dives deep into it (pun intended). The film follows marine biologist Arif, played brilliantly by Remy Ishak, who is sent to a remote Malaysian island to investigate strange aquatic anomalies. But what starts as a scientific mission quickly descends into a nightmare as Arif discovers the legends of the “Orang Ikan” human-fish hybrids feared by locals might be more than just bedtime stories. This isn’t your typical creature feature; it’s a slow-burning, psychological thriller drenched in atmosphere and eerie silence. Every ripple in the water feels like a warning. And once the creatures begin to reveal themselves, things escalate in ways you won’t see coming.

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The scene that genuinely made my skin crawl was when Arif and the island guide stumbled upon an abandoned fishing village, half-submerged in mangrove swamps. The suspense in that sequence was masterfully done no dramatic score, just the squelch of mud and whispers in the wind. When they finally see one of the Orang Ikan not in full, but just its silhouette gliding under the water it was the kind of fear that stays with you long after the screen fades to black. The creature design is not overly CGI-heavy; it's subtle, grotesque, and rooted in realism, which makes it even more terrifying.

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What really hit home for me was the emotional core of the film. This isn’t just about monsters it’s about grief, guilt, and how far one is willing to go to uncover the truth. Arif’s personal journey is gut-wrenching. As he unearths the island’s dark secrets, including his own family’s connection to the legend, the lines between science and superstition begin to blur. That final confrontation at the tide caves part exorcism, part confession wasn’t just visually stunning, it was emotionally devastating. You’re not just watching a man fight a monster you're watching a man drown in his past.

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Another standout for me was actress Sharifah Amani, who plays Nurin, the local herbalist with deep ancestral ties to the legend. Her presence is magnetic wise, eerie, and deeply human. Her scenes, especially when she speaks in hushed tones about the “deal” made between land and sea generations ago, add layers to the folklore and mystique of the film. She doesn’t just play a side character she anchors the emotional and spiritual weight of the entire movie.

So, if you’re into horror that makes you think, with rich cultural layers, haunting visuals, and a story that clings to your soul like sea salt on skin, then Orang Ikan (2024) is absolutely worth diving into. Trust me this one doesn’t just entertain, it haunts.

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