ISLANDERS

Taiwan’s first series drama utilizes magical realism to interweave local myths, folklore, and tales with current social issues, presenting a modern allegory that serves as a warning for Taiwan’s near future.

In Islanders, eight Taiwanese myths interweave with current social issues across eight episodes, crafting a poignant modern allegory. The stories begin with a woman rediscovering fertility through encountering a mystical white deer. A diving instructor redefines marriage and couple relationships through hypnotic exploration. A young military enthusiast meets an old Taiwanese-Japanese soldier and challenges his notion that World War II has not ended. A female ghost seeks help in finding her way home, attached to an umbrella. The popularity of a temple soars through online broadcasts venerating the deceased village chief. Vietnamese Trưng beliefs guide two generations of new residents into politics. A pact with the devil grants a young couple 24 years in a mansion at the cost of their souls. The narrative climaxes with an engineer unraveling a sinister agenda behind his company’s APP, “Myth,” designed to manipulate society.