Ziam

Right, well I just watched the 2025 Thai zombie movie "Ziam" on Netflix. Sure, I had never heard about the movie prior to watching it, but given the fact that I am a huge fan of all things zombie, of course I had to check out what director Kulp Kaljareuk had to offer.

Now, the movie was off to a great start. Sure, it was nothing in comparison to the 2016 South Korean "Busanhaeng" (aka "Train to Busan"), but "Ziam" seemed promising, and it definitely had me entertained. And I will say that it definitely is a strong foray into the zombie genre for Thai cinema. Right up to the last 20 minutes of the movie, where the entire thing just tumbled down like a house of cards in a tornado. Talk about a turn for the worse. I cannot fathom what writers Vathanyu Ingkawiwat, Kulp Kaljareuk, Nut Nualpang, Chonnatee Pimnam and Weerasu Worrapot were thinking with the last 20 minutes of the movie. It was like a slap to the face with a cold, undead fish - pardon the pun.

The dialogue in the movie was pretty wooden, a testament to the fact that the writers were stumbling around in darkness trying to piece together the dialogue. There were so many cringeworthy moments in the movie from the dialogue, and at times I was wondering if it was written by pre-teenagers.

I was not familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie, which definitely was a nice thing, as I do enjoy watching new and unfamiliar talents on the screen. The acting performances were, for the most parts, fair. There were some rigid performances and some where you just didn't buy into the performance delivered on the screen.

For as much as I do enjoy blood and gore in zombie movies, I have to say that less is sometimes more. Director Kulp Kaljareuk went overboard here, and there were literally gallons of blood sprayed, splattered and smeared on all walls of the hospital, on all ten floors. It was just ridiculous, and I couldn't distract from that, as I started to look for blood on the walls in each scene.

The special effects in the movie were good, and they definitely helped carried the movie a great length. Right up until the zombies apparently mutated and had fish-like mouths. That virtually had me laughing so hard, and it was just such a stupid thing to add to the movie, as it really dumbed it down a couple of notched. While we are on effects, then I don't understand why the opted to go for the sounds that the zombies made, it made zero sense. Some of the sounds were just copied from "The Last of Us", while others were very laughable guttural sounds that you wouldn't assume could be made from human vocal cords, undead or not.

If you are going to watch the movie, you should literally stop with 20 minutes left, because the entire movie just fell apart in those abysmal minutes. And the ending of the movie, should you opt to endure the ordeal to the bitter end, well the ending was just laughable. I virtually got up in frustration and left the room at that ending.

What started out as a promising zombie movie from the Thai cinema quickly fell to shambles and just went downhill fast.

Sure, I managed to endure the entire 95 minutes that the movie ran for. But believe you me, this is not a zombie movie that I will ever return to watch a second time.

My rating of director Kulp Kaljareuk's 2025 movie "Ziam" lands on a very generous four out of ten stars.

The film suffers from poor storytelling and implausible plot developments that make it difficult to take seriously or emotionally invest in. Events unfold with little logic or coherence, and key plot points feel forced or unearned. Character development is sorely lacking-viewers are given minimal insight into the protagonists, making it hard to care about their fate. Instead, the focus is placed almost entirely on the zombies, sidelining human drama. The excessive use of CGI overwhelms rather than enhances, leading to a visually artificial experience. The film also feels rushed from beginning to end, as if key scenes and transitions were either cut or never written in the first place. Pacing issues prevent any real tension from building. Despite these flaws, the film does shine in its action choreography-fight scenes are well-staged and visually exciting. If not for the quality of these sequences, this would be a 1-star film. Ultimately, it's a shallow and forgettable viewing experience.

What if we crossed soylent green, train to Busan, and Ong Bak...but made it trash?

That's Ziam. A forgettable zombie punch up with no bite. When a martial arts enforcer goes to save his girlfriend (ex?..it's really not well established) from a zombie infested hospital, you will fall asleep from the lame action.

Zero character development, terrible writing. Same pace through the whole movie and plot armor so bad that watching a guy casually kick zombies gets dull fast. There is gore. But it's just wet. Nothing impressive. CGI blood and fire make it look even worse. Not to mention the awful 3rd act mutations.

Bloody diarrhea from bad take out would be more entertaining and have a better story.

"Ziam" delivers an interesting blend of zombie horror and Muay Thai action - a fresh take for the genre that's visually compelling, but ultimately let down by its undercooked story.

Set in a dystopian Bangkok plagued by a viral outbreak, the film follows Singh, a retired Muay Thai fighter who must battle hordes of the infected with nothing but his fists to save his girlfriend and a young child from a hospital under siege. The setting is the film's strongest asset: gritty, claustrophobic hospital corridors lit in harsh tones that amplify the tension. The action is intense and well-choreographed, relying heavily on practical effects rather than CGI, which gives the fights a brutal, visceral edge.

Mark Prin delivers a convincing performance as the determined fighter, and the physical demands of the role are clearly met. The zombie makeup is also commendable, enhancing the sense of danger in every close-quarter brawl.

However, where Ziam falters is in its narrative. The plot feels rushed and occasionally nonsensical. Characters make illogical decisions, emotional arcs are forced, and key moments lack the build-up needed to make them truly impactful. It asks for a lot of suspension of disbelief - and not in a good way. The backstory is thin, and while there are attempts at emotional depth, they often fall flat due to underdevelopment.

In short, Ziam is entertaining if you're in the mood for zombie mayhem and martial arts, but don't expect a story that holds up under scrutiny. A great concept with uneven execution.

Ziam tries to present itself as a horror experience but falls short in delivering true scares. The cinematography feels bland, lacking creativity in framing and lighting, making even the few tense moments look flat. The horror elements are minimal, with most scenes failing to build genuine suspense or fear, leaning instead on loud sounds and predictable jumps.

The VFX are poor, pulling you out of the film rather than immersing you in its world, and the storyline feels cliché, with the same haunted house tropes and a predictable "twist" you see coming from miles away. While there are a few moments that attempt to add atmosphere, they aren't enough to elevate Ziam beyond average.

Overall, Ziam is a watchable but forgettable horror film that lacks the craft needed to stand out, best suited for a casual watch if you have nothing else to do.