Ziam
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Action
Country: United States
Director: Kulp Kaljareuk
Cast: : Prin Suparat, Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich, Wanvayla Boonnithipaisit, Johnny Anfone, Pimmada Boriruksuppakorn, Jason Young, Suphachai Saepong, Duangporn Oapirat, Keerati Sivakua, Yok Sirimat
Ziam is a Thai zombie thriller set to release on July 9, 2025, on Netflix. Directed by Kulp Kaljareuk, it stars Mark-Prin Support as Singh, a former Muay Thai fighter turned truck driver.
When a zombie outbreak hits a Bangkok hospital, Singh fights to save his girlfriend, Rin. The film mixes martial arts with horror, set in a dystopian world affected by climate change. The title, a twist on “Siam,” hints at its unique genre blend.
This film marks Netflix’s latest project for Southeast Asia. It uses practical effects and intense fight choreography, avoiding CGI for the undead.
Instead, it focuses on strong makeup and sound design to enhance the horror. Early buzz highlights the mix of action-hero thrills and survival tension in tight hospital settings.
Plot & Narrative Structure
The story follows Singh’s desperate mission to rescue Rin and a boy named Buddy from a zombie-filled hospital. What begins as a personal quest quickly grows into a fight against hordes of undead and human betrayal. Singh relies on his Muay Thai skills while navigating moral choices and dangers.
Ziam is fast-paced, running about 95 minutes. It balances monster encounters with brief emotional moments among the trio. Some critics find the plot predictable, filled with clichés like corporate schemes and military experiments. Others enjoy its straightforwardness. The film maintains energy with sharp scenes and limited background, sacrificing some depth.
Character & Performance Analysis
Mark-Prin Support leads with strong physicality. His Muay Thai fight scenes are clear, and his stoic presence speaks volumes. Singh is an action-oriented character, defined by his fists. Limited dialogue shows his fierce love for Rin and Buddy.
Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich, as Rin, brings warmth and morals to the story. She displays strength and compassion amid terror. The boy, Buddy, adds innocence and raises the stakes. Supporting roles, like mercenaries and corrupt scientists, focus on action rather than depth. The bond among the trio forms the film’s emotional core.
Action & Dance
The film excels in action, featuring intense Muay Thai moves against zombies in tight spaces. Singh uses elbows, knees, and kicks effectively, showcasing his skills without guns. A standout human-versus-human fight shines for its intensity and choreography. It reminds viewers of classic martial arts films.
However, horror violence varies in execution. Practical effects add grit, but some mass-attack scenes rely on quick editing and lighting tricks, which can cloud clarity. While the hospital setting builds tension, its repetition may feel limiting. The highlight remains the brutal close-quarters fights.
Style & Technical Craft
Ziam employs tight structure and handheld camera work for intimacy. This is especially effective in hallways and stairwells. Practical gore effects, like visible blood and weapon impacts, enhance immersion. Sound design elevates the experience, capturing bone cracks and groans.
Visual and technical polish is inconsistent. Lighting in action scenes can obscure clarity, and some CGI transitions reveal budget limits. Rapid editing sometimes confuses spatial geography. The gritty look fits the martial arts focus, prioritising immediacy over spectacle.
Themes & Franchise Integration
At its core, Ziam is a survival tale about love and resilience. Singh’s return to violence showcases his sacrificial devotion. The film suggests ecological collapse and social inequality, but these themes feel underdeveloped.
Emotional depth is modest. The bond between Singh, Rin, and Buddy grounds the chaos, though it lacks profundity. Flashbacks and dialogue suggest regret and hope but stay surface-level.
The story tends to honour characters through action rather than exploration. The mid-credits survival hint offers hope but no closure. Want to watch movie with full of Action, Comedy & Science Fiction? The Toxic Avenger Unrated should be in your watchlist.
Reception & Mixed Critique
Critics noted the film’s novelty in merging Muay Thai combat with zombie action. The hospital setting is seen as both restrictive and compelling. However, criticism focuses on predictable plotting, flat characters, and uneven quality. Rotten Tomatoes shows steady ratings. While praised for action, opinions on story depth are mixed.
Fans had varied reactions. Martial arts and horror enthusiasts enjoyed the brutal style, rating it 7/10 on some sites. Others felt the story lacked nuance. Netflix viewers appreciated the novelty but often prioritised binge-worthiness over emotional stakes.
Strengths
Ziam‘s greatest strength lies in its authentic hand-to-hand combat, showcasing Muay Thai techniques. This focus sets it apart from typical zombie films, thrilling genre fans. The hospital environment heightens tension and showcases resourcefulness.
The chemistry among the core trio adds warmth amid the gore. Singh’s protective instincts towards Buddy and Rin’s resolve provide emotional weight. Practical effects enhance realism. Ziam leans into its strengths: visceral combat, tight horror, and a fiercely loyal lead.
Weaknesses
Despite its strengths, Ziam suffers from shallow storytelling. Characters are archetypal, with minimal development beyond survival. Plot devices often rely on clichés, including military experiments and predictable sacrifices.
Technical issues stand out: bad lighting makes things unclear, and some CGI effects show budget limits. Rapid editing can blur action clarity. The film’s brevity limits emotional investment. For those seeking a deep story or surprises, Ziam feels more like a rush of style than a solid plot.
Final Verdict
Ziam revitalises zombie cinema by showcasing Muay Thai and hand-to-hand combat in a hospital. Its exciting choreography and real effects offer a thrilling ride for action-horror fans. However, its traditional plot, weak character development, and technical flaws limit broader appeal. It serves as a solid genre exercise with heart and grit but lacks game-changing qualities.
For Netflix and Southeast Asian cinema, it’s a unique entry. As a horror-thriller, it excites but doesn’t deliver deep chills. At the end if you watch movie full of Fantasy the The Old Guard 2 Movie is another choice for you.
Rating
Putlockers gives rating 3/5 to this movie. A lean, blood-soaked martial arts zombie mashup, thrilling in its intensity but lacking depth.
