Orang Minyak (Oily Man)
Singapore, Singapore | Film Short
Horror
More than 50 years ago, the Orang Minyak – a fearsome creature, dripping with crude oil – terrorized women in Singapore and Malaysia. Now, the monster is back and stalking new victims – teenager Rayyan and his family.
Orang Minyak (Oily Man)
Singapore, Singapore | Film Short
Horror
Green Light
This campaign raised $10,785 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
90 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
More than 50 years ago, the Orang Minyak – a fearsome creature, dripping with crude oil – terrorized women in Singapore and Malaysia. Now, the monster is back and stalking new victims – teenager Rayyan and his family.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
As of 27 Feb, Pacific Time, we reached 100% of our goal! So, here is our stretch goal:
Currently, producers Ming Siu, Karl, and director/writer Leon Cheo are working on this project pro-bono and out of pure passion. Any amount in excess of our goal will be equally divided between us, so you will be supporting our livelihood and keeping our fires burning. Thank you and please pledge if you can!
In the dead of night… An ominous creak on the stairs… An inhuman claw scrapes on your door… And from the darkness… An otherworldly hand reaches for you… Dripping with oil and slime the colour of deepest despair… It is… the Orang Minyak.
Synopsis: It’s Rayyan’s 16th birthday. But he’s a teenager and isn’t entirely thrilled at being dragged to a beachfront bungalow by his decidedly uncool parents. Once they arrive, the uncanny begins to invade his world. A whisper of his name on the wind. Strange, inhuman eyes watching from the forest. And the inexplicable, pervasive oil stains – slimy, slick, rancid. Rayyan is convinced someone, or something, is stalking him, but no matter how much he tries, he can’t get anybody to believe him.
Here's a theory that we find very intriguing:
The orang minyak has often been used as a convenient scapegoat for sexual attacks – it’s easier to blame such a monster than an assailant who’s a neighbour, a friend, or a family member. Compared to other creatures and monsters from Malayan folklore and urban legend, the orang minyak seems to be the least “popular”, at least in terms of screen appearances – and hence, ripe for a new vision.
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Inspired by the rich thematic use of its monster and character depths of modern classics like The Invisible Man (2020), The Medium (2021), and The Babadook (2014), Leon seeks to reimagine and revive the orang minyak in a fresh way. His update pays homage to the origins of this creature, while situating it firmly in a modern framework, infusing the horror with timely urgency.
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The team behind the film
We are a group of passionate horror fans, experienced in making genre and dramatic films, audio dramas, and games! Writer and director Leon Cheo made the Emmy-nominated short form series People Like Us. Producer Goh Ming Siu's feature film Repossession was spotlighted by The New York Times. Producer Karl Gan created horror-thriller audio drama Therapy Z for Audible. His short This Bedroom is Dead was featured on the 2019 Bloodlist, a list of the best unproduced horror screenplays in Hollywood. Learn more about us and our Heads of Department in the Team tab above!
In the next few weeks, here’s what you can look forward to:
- Origins and legends of the orang minyak
- The orang minyak’s screen appearances over the years
- Insight into the creative processes behind our special effects makeup, cinematography, and practical effects
- Our distinguished and celebrated cast members
- And if – and only if – we reach our goal: A sneak peek reveal of our orang minyak monster!
Help us reach our goal to reveal our Orang Minyak:
We’re almost at the finish line – we just need a bit of help!
Having completed filming in December 2025, we’re now starting post-production. We’re supported by the Singapore Film Commission with a grant of $15,000, so we just need to raise the remaining funds to reach our budget of $25,000. Your support will help us complete editing, colour grading, surround sound mix, music scoring, visual effects, and mastering and finishing the film on DCP.
Pledge now to help make this film a reality! Any amount is appreciated!
Follow us on Seed & Spark and @orangminyakfilm
Share this project with your friends!
Our deepest gratitude and thanks to you!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Editing & Mastering
Costs $1,500
Costs of editing and mastering the film, as well as DCP creation.
Surround Sound Mix & Scoring
Costs $2,500
What's a horror film without great sound design and music score?
Colour Grading & VFX
Costs $2,000
The final touches to make the film look great.
Film Festival Fees
Costs $1,000
This helps us get the film seen all over the world!
Partial Cast & Crew Fees
Costs $3,000
Despite our grant, we still need a bit more to pay everyone.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a team of passionate horror fans with experience in making genre and dramatic films, audio dramas, and even games!
LEON CHEO (Director, Writer, Producer)
Leon is the creator, writer and director of the Emmy-nominated short form series People Like Us. His latest short film 302 screened in Hawaii, Singapore and Hong Kong. In 2022, he was selected for the Hillman Grad / Indeed Rising Voices program in which he is mentored by Destin Daniel Cretton to make The 25th Filial Exemplar which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival. Other highlights include: SIN-SFO which competed at the Oscar-qualifying 25th Austin Film Festival, and won Best Live Action and Best Director at the 2019 National Youth Film Awards in Singapore; The Three Sisters which won ‘Best Short Film’ at the 2012 NETPAC-Jogja Asian Film Festival; and Move Out Notice which broadcast on the Lifetime (Asia) channel and nominated for Best Script at the Singapore Short Film Awards.
GOH MING SIU (Producer)
Ming Siu is a filmmaker with over 20 years’ experience in the Singapore media industry. His first feature film Repossession (2019) is distributed on North American VOD platforms. TimeOut Singapore picked it as one of the best Singapore films of all time, and The New York Times spotlighted it in January 2022. At the 2024 Taiwan Creative Content Festival, his miniseries in development, Pontianaks in Taiwan, won three awards, and was featured in Variety, Deadline, and Screen International. It was also selected for the 2025 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival’s It Project Market.
KARL GAN (Producer)
Karl is a screenwriter and producer who co-created the 2024 period sports series The Last Bout, which was nominated for Best Asian TV Series at the Busan Asia Contents & OTT Awards and won an Asian Television Award for Best Set Design. He also created horror thriller Therapy Z (2021) for Audible, and teen drama Paddles Up (2018). He was a staff writer for the popular Ubisoft action video game Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, and his short This Bedroom is Dead was featured on the 2019 Bloodlist, a list of the best unproduced horror screenplays in Hollywood. His latest project, Ready Player Mum, was profiled in a Variety article in November 2025.
AARON ANDREW ANG (Cinematographer)
Aaron is a notable Cinematographer whose artistic journey began in the vibrant city-state of Singapore. A proud graduate of Singapore's LASALLE College of the Arts, where he earned a BA(HONS) in Film, Aaron has cultivated a distinctive voice in filmmaking, shaped by his diverse experiences and a multifaceted approach to visual storytelling. His work effortlessly blends a sensitivity to the human condition with innovative techniques. Aaron’s talent has not gone unnoticed; his work has been featured by esteemed arts organizations such as Nowness Asia and T:>Works Singapore, alongside numerous international film festivals, including Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, Aesthetica Short Film Festival and Fantasia Film Festival. His artistry has garnered accolades at prestigious platforms like the Singapore Youth Film Festival and the Etiuda&Anima International Film Festival, among others.
CHERYLYNN @ CAT SCRATCH SFX (Hair, Make-Up & Special Effects)
Cherylynn, better known as Cat Scratch SFX, is a Singapore based Makeup Artist/Designer. She graduated from MAKE UP FOREVER ACADEMY in Singapore for Fashion & Beauty / Bridal and Creative Makeup (2017), as well as from THE CINEMA MAKEUP SCHOOL Los Angeles, California in Prosthetic and Special Effects Makeup (2020). Cat Scratch SFX designs various looks for different mediums, needs, and budgets. After being part of Universal Studios' Singapore Halloween Horror Nights 8 as a makeup artist, she became intrigued by the world of Special Effects Makeup which sparked a whole new journey in the world of horror and fantasy SFX. Since then, she began exploring other materials to create more and exciting makeup effects, which aim to thrill and wow audiences across the world.
JAVEUS TOH (Production Designer)
Over the past decade, Javeus has built a practice rooted in the art of storytelling through space. His worlds feel honest and lived in. Environments that don’t just serve a script but expand it. Whether on a commercial set or a feature film, Javeus approaches design as a conversation between psychology, aesthetics, and emotion. His experience spans from large-scale commercial campaigns for retaining clients such as Google Cloud, Lenovo, LEGO, etc., to feature films that have travelled across the global festival circuit. In cinema, Javeus’ work reflects a deep understanding of how space mirrors character. His recent feature, Old Man and His Car, premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival and will be later screened at both the 2025 Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) and 2025 Golden Horse Film Festival in Taiwan. Another film he designed, Before Life After Death, is currently streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime, reaching audiences worldwide. Beyond production design, Javeus brings an additional layer to his work through his training as an art therapist. Having completed his Master's in Art Therapy, he is now a credentialed therapist with ANZACATA and ATAS.
AUDREY LEE (Sound Recordist)
Audrey is an accomplished sound recordist who honed her technical foundations in the Film, Sound & Video program at Ngee Ann Polytechnic in 2013. She furthered her expertise by earning a Bachelor’s in Film from LASALLE College of the Arts between 2015 and 2017, which allowed her to transition seamlessly from her academic training to professional film sets.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
As of 27 Feb, Pacific Time, we reached 100% of our goal! So, here is our stretch goal:
Currently, producers Ming Siu, Karl, and director/writer Leon Cheo are working on this project pro-bono and out of pure passion. Any amount in excess of our goal will be equally divided between us, so you will be supporting our livelihood and keeping our fires burning. Thank you and please pledge if you can!
In the dead of night… An ominous creak on the stairs… An inhuman claw scrapes on your door… And from the darkness… An otherworldly hand reaches for you… Dripping with oil and slime the colour of deepest despair… It is… the Orang Minyak.
Synopsis: It’s Rayyan’s 16th birthday. But he’s a teenager and isn’t entirely thrilled at being dragged to a beachfront bungalow by his decidedly uncool parents. Once they arrive, the uncanny begins to invade his world. A whisper of his name on the wind. Strange, inhuman eyes watching from the forest. And the inexplicable, pervasive oil stains – slimy, slick, rancid. Rayyan is convinced someone, or something, is stalking him, but no matter how much he tries, he can’t get anybody to believe him.
Here's a theory that we find very intriguing:
The orang minyak has often been used as a convenient scapegoat for sexual attacks – it’s easier to blame such a monster than an assailant who’s a neighbour, a friend, or a family member. Compared to other creatures and monsters from Malayan folklore and urban legend, the orang minyak seems to be the least “popular”, at least in terms of screen appearances – and hence, ripe for a new vision.
Inspired by the rich thematic use of its monster and character depths of modern classics like The Invisible Man (2020), The Medium (2021), and The Babadook (2014), Leon seeks to reimagine and revive the orang minyak in a fresh way. His update pays homage to the origins of this creature, while situating it firmly in a modern framework, infusing the horror with timely urgency.
The team behind the film
We are a group of passionate horror fans, experienced in making genre and dramatic films, audio dramas, and games! Writer and director Leon Cheo made the Emmy-nominated short form series People Like Us. Producer Goh Ming Siu's feature film Repossession was spotlighted by The New York Times. Producer Karl Gan created horror-thriller audio drama Therapy Z for Audible. His short This Bedroom is Dead was featured on the 2019 Bloodlist, a list of the best unproduced horror screenplays in Hollywood. Learn more about us and our Heads of Department in the Team tab above!
In the next few weeks, here’s what you can look forward to:
- Origins and legends of the orang minyak
- The orang minyak’s screen appearances over the years
- Insight into the creative processes behind our special effects makeup, cinematography, and practical effects
- Our distinguished and celebrated cast members
- And if – and only if – we reach our goal: A sneak peek reveal of our orang minyak monster!
Help us reach our goal to reveal our Orang Minyak:
We’re almost at the finish line – we just need a bit of help!
Having completed filming in December 2025, we’re now starting post-production. We’re supported by the Singapore Film Commission with a grant of $15,000, so we just need to raise the remaining funds to reach our budget of $25,000. Your support will help us complete editing, colour grading, surround sound mix, music scoring, visual effects, and mastering and finishing the film on DCP.
Pledge now to help make this film a reality! Any amount is appreciated!
Follow us on Seed & Spark and @orangminyakfilm
Share this project with your friends!
Our deepest gratitude and thanks to you!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Editing & Mastering
Costs $1,500
Costs of editing and mastering the film, as well as DCP creation.
Surround Sound Mix & Scoring
Costs $2,500
What's a horror film without great sound design and music score?
Colour Grading & VFX
Costs $2,000
The final touches to make the film look great.
Film Festival Fees
Costs $1,000
This helps us get the film seen all over the world!
Partial Cast & Crew Fees
Costs $3,000
Despite our grant, we still need a bit more to pay everyone.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
We are a team of passionate horror fans with experience in making genre and dramatic films, audio dramas, and even games!
LEON CHEO (Director, Writer, Producer)
Leon is the creator, writer and director of the Emmy-nominated short form series People Like Us. His latest short film 302 screened in Hawaii, Singapore and Hong Kong. In 2022, he was selected for the Hillman Grad / Indeed Rising Voices program in which he is mentored by Destin Daniel Cretton to make The 25th Filial Exemplar which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival. Other highlights include: SIN-SFO which competed at the Oscar-qualifying 25th Austin Film Festival, and won Best Live Action and Best Director at the 2019 National Youth Film Awards in Singapore; The Three Sisters which won ‘Best Short Film’ at the 2012 NETPAC-Jogja Asian Film Festival; and Move Out Notice which broadcast on the Lifetime (Asia) channel and nominated for Best Script at the Singapore Short Film Awards.
GOH MING SIU (Producer)
Ming Siu is a filmmaker with over 20 years’ experience in the Singapore media industry. His first feature film Repossession (2019) is distributed on North American VOD platforms. TimeOut Singapore picked it as one of the best Singapore films of all time, and The New York Times spotlighted it in January 2022. At the 2024 Taiwan Creative Content Festival, his miniseries in development, Pontianaks in Taiwan, won three awards, and was featured in Variety, Deadline, and Screen International. It was also selected for the 2025 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival’s It Project Market.
KARL GAN (Producer)
Karl is a screenwriter and producer who co-created the 2024 period sports series The Last Bout, which was nominated for Best Asian TV Series at the Busan Asia Contents & OTT Awards and won an Asian Television Award for Best Set Design. He also created horror thriller Therapy Z (2021) for Audible, and teen drama Paddles Up (2018). He was a staff writer for the popular Ubisoft action video game Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, and his short This Bedroom is Dead was featured on the 2019 Bloodlist, a list of the best unproduced horror screenplays in Hollywood. His latest project, Ready Player Mum, was profiled in a Variety article in November 2025.
AARON ANDREW ANG (Cinematographer)
Aaron is a notable Cinematographer whose artistic journey began in the vibrant city-state of Singapore. A proud graduate of Singapore's LASALLE College of the Arts, where he earned a BA(HONS) in Film, Aaron has cultivated a distinctive voice in filmmaking, shaped by his diverse experiences and a multifaceted approach to visual storytelling. His work effortlessly blends a sensitivity to the human condition with innovative techniques. Aaron’s talent has not gone unnoticed; his work has been featured by esteemed arts organizations such as Nowness Asia and T:>Works Singapore, alongside numerous international film festivals, including Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, Aesthetica Short Film Festival and Fantasia Film Festival. His artistry has garnered accolades at prestigious platforms like the Singapore Youth Film Festival and the Etiuda&Anima International Film Festival, among others.
CHERYLYNN @ CAT SCRATCH SFX (Hair, Make-Up & Special Effects)
Cherylynn, better known as Cat Scratch SFX, is a Singapore based Makeup Artist/Designer. She graduated from MAKE UP FOREVER ACADEMY in Singapore for Fashion & Beauty / Bridal and Creative Makeup (2017), as well as from THE CINEMA MAKEUP SCHOOL Los Angeles, California in Prosthetic and Special Effects Makeup (2020). Cat Scratch SFX designs various looks for different mediums, needs, and budgets. After being part of Universal Studios' Singapore Halloween Horror Nights 8 as a makeup artist, she became intrigued by the world of Special Effects Makeup which sparked a whole new journey in the world of horror and fantasy SFX. Since then, she began exploring other materials to create more and exciting makeup effects, which aim to thrill and wow audiences across the world.
JAVEUS TOH (Production Designer)
Over the past decade, Javeus has built a practice rooted in the art of storytelling through space. His worlds feel honest and lived in. Environments that don’t just serve a script but expand it. Whether on a commercial set or a feature film, Javeus approaches design as a conversation between psychology, aesthetics, and emotion. His experience spans from large-scale commercial campaigns for retaining clients such as Google Cloud, Lenovo, LEGO, etc., to feature films that have travelled across the global festival circuit. In cinema, Javeus’ work reflects a deep understanding of how space mirrors character. His recent feature, Old Man and His Car, premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival and will be later screened at both the 2025 Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) and 2025 Golden Horse Film Festival in Taiwan. Another film he designed, Before Life After Death, is currently streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime, reaching audiences worldwide. Beyond production design, Javeus brings an additional layer to his work through his training as an art therapist. Having completed his Master's in Art Therapy, he is now a credentialed therapist with ANZACATA and ATAS.
AUDREY LEE (Sound Recordist)
Audrey is an accomplished sound recordist who honed her technical foundations in the Film, Sound & Video program at Ngee Ann Polytechnic in 2013. She furthered her expertise by earning a Bachelor’s in Film from LASALLE College of the Arts between 2015 and 2017, which allowed her to transition seamlessly from her academic training to professional film sets.