水怪 (2026)

The 2026 Chinese web film Shui Guai, also known as Water Monster, draws inspiration from the Eastern folk legend of the 'water monkey,' a mysterious aquatic creature said to lure and drown victims. Set during the Republican era, the story takes place in the isolated and superstitious village of Guai Shui Cun, which has been terrorized by these creatures for generations.

The narrative centers on Shui Sheng, a young boy who witnessed his father's gruesome death at the hands of the monster in his childhood. Haunted by trauma and fear, he eventually awakens to the reality of the threat lurking beneath the lake's surface. As the water monsters continue to decimate the village population, Shui Sheng must overcome his past to join forces with the remaining villagers in a desperate bid to uncover the truth behind the phenomenon and find a way to break the cycle of horror.

• The film is produced by Hangzhou Chuanying Cultural Media Co., Ltd. as an official online feature film.
• It blends elements of Eastern horror folklore with coming-of-age drama, focusing on the psychological impact of witnessing violence.
• The antagonist is revealed to be an endangered semi-aquatic ape species capable of mimicking human speech to deceive its prey.
• A separate but similarly titled project, The Silent Water Monster directed by Han Zhen Guo, is also slated for release in 2026, featuring actors Mu Ruitie and Bai Du.