Prin Suparat
Singh
Ziam
“This barehanded fighter will knock down a horde of zombies.”
2025
1h 36m
Director: Kulp Kaljareuk
Overview
In a fight for survival against a horrifying army of zombies, a former Muay Thai fighter must use skill, speed and grit to save his girlfriend.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readFists, Fear, and the Cost of Survival
I’ll admit it: when I first heard the premise of Ziam—a Muay Thai fighter battling zombies in a locked-down hospital—I rolled my eyes. Another zombie movie? Another martial arts gorefest?
But within the first ten minutes, I was hooked. Not because the film reinvents the wheel, but because it understands something fundamental about action-horror: the best entries in the genre don’t just show you violence—they make you feel the cost of it.
Kulp Kaljareuk’s Ziam (2025) is a film of contradictions. It’s derivative yet inventive, brutal yet sentimental, shallow in places yet oddly moving in others. The story follows Singh (Prin Suparat), a former Muay Thai champion turned truck driver, who finds himself trapped in a hospital overrun by zombies after a corporate experiment goes horribly wrong.
His mission is simple: survive long enough to reach his girlfriend, Rin (Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich), who’s trapped inside. What unfolds is a relentless, 96-minute sprint through blood, sweat, and the occasional tearful goodbye.
The film’s greatest strength—and its most frustrating flaw—is its commitment to the high-concept premise. Kaljareuk leans hard into the Muay Thai angle, and the result is some of the most viscerally satisfying zombie combat I’ve seen in years. Singh’s fights aren’t just about brute force; they’re about precision, about using elbows and knees in ways that feel both authentic and cinematic.
There’s a moment early on where he takes down a zombie with a single, fluid knee strike to the chest, and the sound design—wet, meaty, real—makes you wince. It’s the kind of detail that elevates Ziam above the usual undead schlock.
But here’s the catch: the film’s hyperactive editing often undercuts its own choreography. As City on Fire put it, Ziam offers “a masterclass in what a fight scene can look like if it’s shot by someone unfamiliar with shooting action.” The cuts come so fast, so frantic, that you lose track of Singh’s movements. One second he’s mid-kick, the next he’s already moved on to the next zombie.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.2/10
"A visually energetic zombie action flick with flashes of creativity, but held back by shallow characters and tired tropes."
Viewers appreciate the film’s high-energy action sequences and the post-apocalyptic setting, which offer a fresh twist on the zombie genre. latestnetflix.com's read is that however, the lack of depth in character development and reliance on clichéd motivations leave many feeling underwhelmed, with some arguing it doesn’t bring enough new ideas to justify its runtime.
What viewers praise
- Fast-paced action The fight scenes and zombie encounters are dynamic and keep the adrenaline high.
- Unique premise twist A small but interesting twist on the zombie genre that briefly elevates the story.
- Strong visual style The post-apocalyptic setting is well-realized and adds atmosphere to the action.
Common complaints
- Weak character development Characters feel one-dimensional, with little backstory or emotional depth.
- Overused tropes Relies too heavily on familiar zombie and survival movie clichés.
- Uninspired motivations Character goals and decisions often feel forced or unconvincing.
- Thin plot The story struggles to sustain interest beyond its action set pieces.
Recommended for
Zombie action fans Post-apocalyptic thriller lovers Thai horror enthusiasts High-energy B-movie seekers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNetflix’s "Ziam" (2025): When Muay Thai Meets the Undead
Kulp Kaljareuk’s Ziam (2025) is the kind of genre mashup that could either redefine Thai cinema or get lost in the shuffle of zombie fatigue. The film, which dropped globally on Netflix on July 9, 2025, blends martial arts, horror, and sci-fi into a high-octane survival story where a Muay Thai fighter battles the undead to save his loved ones 
. latestnetflix.com's view is that but behind the blood-soaked action lies a production that’s as ambitious as it is risky—especially for a director whose previous work leaned more toward psychological thrillers than full-throttle gorefests.
From Family Dramas to Zombie Apocalypses
Kaljareuk’s pivot from the Netflix thriller series Master of the House (2024) to Ziam is a sharp left turn. Master of the House was praised for its tight focus on Thai family dynamics and power struggles, proving Kaljareuk’s knack for tension and character depth . Ziam, by contrast, is a full-blown action-horror spectacle, complete with graphic violence, hospital settings, and a premise that sounds like Train to Busan meets Ong-Bak . The shift suggests Kaljareuk wanted to test his range—or maybe just cash in on the zombie craze while it’s still hot.
The film’s logline—"In a world succumbing to hunger, a Muay Thai fighter fights off zombies to save his beloved"—hints at a personal stakes that could ground the chaos . But whether Ziam can balance its brutal fight choreography with emotional weight remains to be seen. Early buzz (or lack thereof) suggests audiences are either intrigued by the concept or skeptical of another zombie flick.
The Cast: Action Stars and Fresh Faces
Leading the charge is Prin Suparat (aka Mark), a Thai heartthrob best known for romantic dramas like Thara Himalaya (2018) and The Crown Princess (2018). His casting as a Muay Thai fighter is a departure from his usual roles, and it’s unclear how much training he underwent for the physical demands of Ziam . Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich, another familiar face in Thai BL and rom-coms, plays his love interest, while Wanvayla Boonnithipaisit—who has appeared in horror projects before—rounds out the main trio .
Supporting players include Johnny Anfone (The Medium, 2021), Pimmada Boriruksuppakorn (Girl from Nowhere), and Jason Young, a mixed-martial artist turned actor . The ensemble suggests a mix of genre veterans and relative newcomers, which could either create fresh chemistry or highlight uneven performances under the pressure of a high-concept film.
Behind the Scenes: Rumors and Challenges
Details about Ziam’s production are scarce, but a few tidbits stand out:
- Netflix’s Gamble: The streaming giant has been aggressive in snapping up Thai genre films, from The Medium (2021) to Home for Rent (2023). Ziam’s global release on Netflix suggests confidence in its cross-cultural appeal, but the platform’s algorithm is notoriously fickle. If the film doesn’t pop in the first 72 hours, it could vanish into the abyss of mid-tier content .
- Genre-Blending Risks: Ziam’s tagline—"When fists meet the undead"—is catchy, but the execution is everything. Thai horror has a strong tradition (The Medium, Pee Mak), but action-horror hybrids are rarer. The film’s 1-hour, 36-minute runtime is lean, which could work in its favor or leave audiences wanting more depth .
- Unconfirmed Rumors: Some Thai entertainment forums speculate that Ziam faced reshoots or budget constraints, but there’s no verified evidence to back this up. Kaljareuk’s previous work was tightly controlled, so major production issues seem unlikely .
**What’s Next for Ziam?**
As of August 2025, Ziam’s reception is a mixed bag. Critics are split on whether it’s a bold reinvention of Thai genre cinema or a messy experiment. The film’s success (or failure) could determine whether Netflix doubles down on Thai action-horror or pivots back to safer dramas.
One thing’s certain: Ziam isn’t playing it safe. Whether that’s a strength or a misfire will depend on how well it balances its Muay Thai brutality with its zombie survival stakes. For now, it’s a fascinating case study in how far a director can stretch their style—and whether audiences are ready for Thai zombies with a side of elbow strikes.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.