Netflix has released Ziam, a Thai-produced film offering a distinct cultural take on the action-horror genre. The movie blends a classic zombie apocalypse narrative with the national martial art of Muay Thai. This fusion is embedded in the film’s title, a portmanteau of “Siam,” the historic name for Thailand, and a “Z” for zombie, symbolizing the undead invasion.
A Desperate Siege
Set against the backdrop of a world grappling with severe food shortages, the story follows Singh, a former professional Muay Thai boxer played by Mark-Prin Suparat. Singh’s plans for a quiet retirement are destroyed when a zombie outbreak engulfs the hospital where his girlfriend, Rin, a doctor portrayed by Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich, is working. Trapped within the besieged medical facility, Singh must use his fighting skills to protect Rin and a young boy named Buddy (Vayla Wanvayla Boonnithipaisit) whom he finds amidst the chaos. The plot unfolds as a claustrophobic siege, focusing on a fight for survival against overwhelming odds.
A Vision of Raw Combat
The film’s production was guided by director Kulp Kaljareuk’s specific vision to explore a different style of zombie combat. The action deliberately shifts away from the genre’s typical reliance on firearms, focusing instead on the brutal efficiency of Muay Thai, a martial art that uses the entire body as a weapon. This approach is complemented by a commitment to practical effects. Kaljareuk emphasized that the zombies’ gory appearance was crafted with special makeup, avoiding CGI to give the undead a more visceral and physical presence. To meet the role’s physical demands, lead actor Mark-Prin Suparat underwent an intensive training regimen, dedicating four to five hours a day to a Muay Thai workshop to prepare for the film’s demanding fight choreography.
The Team Behind the Mayhem
Ziam is directed by Kulp Kaljareuk, a third-generation scion of the family that runs the famed Thai production studio Kantana. Kaljareuk has previously directed horror films such as Hong Hun and The Lost Case and recently served as an executive producer on the internationally successful Netflix series Master of the House.
The film stars two of Thai television’s popular actors. The lead role of Singh is played by Mark-Prin Suparat, a prominent actor and model known for his roles in dramas like My Husband in Law and Kleun Cheewit. The role of Rin is played by Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich, an established actress whose work includes numerous television dramas and the 2021 horror film Ghost Lab. The cast also includes Johnny Anfone, Pimmada Borriruksupakorn, and Jason Young. The screenplay was written by Nut Nualpang, Weerasu Worrapot, and Vatanyu Ingkavivat.
The film combines the zombie-horror genre with the distinct martial art of Muay Thai, emphasizing practical effects and visceral, bare-handed combat. Ziam was released on Netflix on July 9, 2025.