Mudborn

Mudborn

Mudborn (Chinese: 泥娃娃; Tongyong Pinyin: Níwáwa; Tâi-lô: nî ang-á) is a 2025 Taiwanese supernatural horror film directed by Shieh Meng-ju. The film stars Tony Yang, Cecilia Choi, Derek Chang, Puff Kuo, and Tracy Chou. It combines elements of Taiwanese folklore, psychological horror, and virtual reality themes, and is loosely inspired by the classic Taiwanese nursery rhyme "Mud Doll" (泥娃娃).

The film was released in Taiwan on 9 October 2025, Malaysia on 25 November 2025 and later in the Philippines on 18 March 2026. It achieved commercial success domestically, surpassing NT$100 million at the Taiwanese box office. It became Taiwan's third biggest domestic film of 2025.

Plot

Mudborn

Hsu-Chuan, a game planner working at a virtual reality company, brings home a damaged clay doll retrieved from a reportedly haunted location while developing a horror-themed Virtual reality game. His wife, Muhua, a pregnant artifact conservator, becomes increasingly fixated on restoring the doll.

As Muhua attempts to repair it, a series of unexplained supernatural events begin to occur within their home. Her physical and psychological condition gradually deteriorates, and the atmosphere of the household becomes increasingly tense and unstable. The presence of the doll appears to intensify these disturbances.

Desperate for answers, Hsu-Chuan seeks the help of A-Sheng, a folklorist and spiritual practitioner. As they investigate the origins of the clay doll, they uncover connections to an old curse and a haunting nursery rhyme. The boundary between object and living presence becomes increasingly unclear, leading to escalating supernatural consequences.

Cast

Mudborn

• Tony Yang as Chang Hsu-Chuan, a VR game planner • Cecilia Choi as Hsu Muhua, an artifact conservator • Derek Chang as A-Sheng, a folklorist and exorcist • Puff Kuo as Liu Yen, a gallery manager • Tracy Chou as Liu Hsin, a ceramic artist

Production

Mudborn

The film was directed by Shieh Meng-ju, a film editor known for his work on productions such as The Soul and the television series Copycat Killer. Mudborn marks his directorial work in the horror genre.

The screenplay was written by Huang Yen-chiao, who has worked on several Taiwanese horror and thriller films. The production team included cinematographer Chen Chi-wen and art director Chen Po-jen, both of whom have experience in genre films.

Special effects were supervised by Yen Chen-chin, while the musical score and sound design were created by members of the production team behind the Taiwanese horror film Incantation. The film integrates traditional horror elements with contemporary themes, including virtual reality and digital environments.

The production budget was reported to be approximately NT$40 million.

Release

Mudborn

Mudborn premiered in Taiwan on 9 October 2025. It was subsequently released in Malaysia and Brunei on 27 November, Vietnam on 26 December, Cambodia on 16 January 2026, Singapore on 22 January, Indonesia on 30 January, Thailand on 5 February, Australia and New Zealand on 12 February, and the Philippines on 18 March 2026.

Marketing for international releases emphasized the film's central horror elements, including a broken clay doll, a recurring nursery rhyme, and a series of "rules" associated with avoiding supernatural danger, such as not repairing or treating the doll as a child.

Box office

Mudborn

The film performed strongly at the Taiwanese box office, earning over NT$24 million in its opening period. By its 58th day of release, it had exceeded NT$100 million domestically.

In Malaysia, the film became the highest-grossing Mandarin film of 2025.

Themes

Mudborn

Mudborn incorporates elements of East Asian folklore, particularly beliefs surrounding cursed objects and spirit attachment. The clay doll serves as the central motif, representing the intersection of innocence and latent threat. The film also explores themes of obsession, motherhood, and the consequences of disturbing objects associated with unresolved histories. The integration of virtual reality technology reflects contemporary anxieties about the merging of digital and physical experiences.

Reception

Mudborn

The film was nominated for several awards at the 1st Taiwan Entertainment Film Awards in 2026, including nominations for "Annual Date Movie", "Most Anticipated Sequel", and acting nominations for Cecilia Choi and Derek Chang. It won a box office award.