I went in to watch Zombeid with zero expectations or anticipation and came out realizing… oh well, you can scroll on to read the full length and breadth of my thoughts (and there are many), on watching the Eid Ul Azha cinematic release in cinema!
Zombeid marks an attempt by Pakistani cinema to explore genres outside of just romantic comedies, which have become such a “bankable” formula that filmgoers are probably tired of getting the ‘same old’ repackaged in a new, sometimes, not even new cast! The pressure of box office success has conditioned audiences to expect a certain kind of film and storyline. But I wanted to see how well Pakistani filmakers could pull off a genre that usually doesn’t get much attention in Pakistan and expected it would fall under one of two categories – no surprises there – either very entertaining or potentially disastrous, being that there are only a handful of movies in the world that feature zombies.
I somehow had a feeling it would mimic Train to Busan because that’s the vibe I got from the trailer. But if anyone else is thinking the same, it doesn’t. Zombeid (unexpectedly, and refreshingly), stands on its own. It’s rooted in everyday life and situations that many of us have probably come across. Safe to say, for the entire two hours, I never once thought about leaving the cinema. Considering it’s Pakistan’s very first zombie thriller, it delivered.
A prime thought before my 15 thoughts... “I definitely didn’t waste my Rs. 1,200. It was all worth it!” – Sigh of relief – big one. Eid holidays are not to be wasted on films that take over a 2 hour ‘doing nothing on the couch’ moment. This one, like I said, was defintely worth spending time away from mine.
Wali (played by Fahad Mustafa), is a former Mr. Pakistan trying to get back to his career after an accident that changed his life. Zara (played by Mehwish Hayat) is a Zumba instructor at the Muscle Factory Gym, and Marwan (played by Dodi Khan) is the gym’s bodybuilding trainer and current Mr. Pakistan. Events unfold on the night of Chaand Raat when the gym is witness to a zombie apocalypse and it’s a battle for survival until the law enforcing agencies can prevent the outbreak from spreading throughout the rest of the city.
Here are 15 things that caught my attention while watching Zombeid – the good, the bad, and everything in between.
1. The pacing was a huge win
One key advantage for Zombeid is how quickly the story progresses. The start paints a fast-paced picture that gets right into it; within 15–20 minutes, we’re thrown directly into the chaos of a zombie apocalypse. The story doesn’t waste much time giving you painful history or backstory, but instead, it spends a lot of time allowing you to actually experience the outbreak! Quick and breezy for those who struggle with lagging attention span before it all begins!
2. Steroid disaster – a 10/10 decision
I was truly impressed with the way the film portrayed what caused the outbreak, how it occurred, and why it took place.
While some people may have viewed the use of steroid abuse as merely a shocking aspect of the film, it was clearly meaningful. It delivered a strong message to gym-goers – particularly those who are passionate about fitness and are trying to get bigger or gain muscle. Many often seek shortcuts (i.e., using steroids) instead of dedicating themselves to the time and effort it takes to develop their physique naturally.
In this fast-paced, quick fix world, where the widespread use and availability of steroids for speed, muscle and performance is fast becoming a norm rather than an exception, the narrative addressed the issue directly. Steroids can have serious negative effects, both physically and mentally, impacting a person’s health and overall well-being. However, many young adults still choose to use steroids in order to achieve quick results. The film was able to portray that reality without being preachy.
What I thought the filmmakers did particularly well was connect a steroid that had previously only been used for experimental testing – and was never intended for commercial use – to the zombie outbreak. It felt believable within the context of the world they created, and surprisingly, it worked really well.
3. The on-screen chemistry (and magic) that is Fahad Mustafa and Mehwish Hayat
Both Fahad Mustafa and Mehwish Hayat shared a strong on-screen chemistry that felt natural and believable. Though there were some moments when the romantic aspect of their relationship seemed out of place, it did not cause any disruption to the story’s overall execution.
4. Dodi Khan somehow stole the show
I was also very impressed with Dodi Khan’s performance – this was my first time seeing him onscreen, especially on the big screen – and he did an amazing job playing an antagonist (opposite a seasoned actor like Fahad Mustafa), which is quite a feat to accomplish. Marwan had a certain aura and screen presence that instantly grabbed eyeballs whenever he appeared.
He’s definitely an actor I’d like to see more of in future projects.
5. Fahad Mustafa and Javed Sheikh – the perfect duo
Watching them together brought back memories from those classic, well-known teacher/student pairings that seem to always prevail over their circumstances, as well as pulling together for the final walk of fame. The pair checked all the boxes and that was a sure win.
6. I absolutely hated Shani by the end
I hated Shani (Mani’s character) by the end of the movie and I mean that as a compliment.
In the beginning, his role served comic relief, however, as the story continued he transformed into that one person we have experienced in real life; the type who keeps others from achieving anything in life because they are failing at their own.
There was a dark element to Shani’s character – one that made it so much more fleshed-out than just another villain, as he revealed certain aspects of the society we live in and how people behave towards one another.
7. Sam’s character – a true reflection of society
Sam’s character felt like an acknowledgment of all those men who carry a certain feminine energy and are often mocked or labeled as “meetha” by society. The film showed how society uses these labels to put others down, humiliate them and make them feel worthless. Everyone has feelings and it is time we start treating acknowleding the differences among us with respect, not disdain.
8. Sam’s mother’s dialogue broke something inside me
When Sam was infected and Zara told his mother to leave him behind because he wasn’t one of them anymore, her response hit hard. She said, “He was never one of us.”
It was painful, but it also reflected a harsh reality. So often, we treat people differently when they don’t behave the way society expects them to. When a man doesn’t fit the traditional image of a macho man and instead reveals a softer or more compassionate side, society often refuses to fully accept him.
9. Saife Hasan and Babar Ali were a moment in themselves
They had limited screen time, but what a screen presence. Every time either of them appeared on-screen, albeit for brief moments, they commanded attention. You simply couldn’t look away.
10. The first half delivered on the zombie horror
The first half had a ton of great stunts, action scenes, and genuine zombie horror. The makeup, the special effects and the way everything was presented all felt palpably real. Not once did I ever feel the VFX, imaging or graphic representation fell short. That kept the focus on the action and the moments delivered the right feel everytime!
11. Karachiites will especially enjoy some of the humor
The movie had several moments that Karachiites would fully appreciate. The Sindhi girl calling her father for help because the police and armed forces weren’t letting anyone through. The boys calling the police and claiming there was a party happening at the gym so they would raid the place.
12. One thing didn’t make sense to me
Most individuals that turned into phenome zombies all experienced similar characteristics, such as loss of senses (specially the sense to see), and following the sounds of others. On the other hand, Marwan displayed a single-minded desire for Wali.
What is the deal with Marwan being able to identify Wali when all of the other phenome zombies cannot identify anybody? How could Marwan retain a sense of awareness and all the other phenome zombies completely lose all of their awareness? This was a plot hole for me that didn’t seem to add up or gel with rest of the story.
13. Azlan Shah’s influencer character represented two realities
Two characteristics of social media influencers were shown through Azlan Shah’s character.
Influencers have been able to use their reach or audience to showcase incidents otherwise not publicised. He was able to share his video inside the gym with the world after having recorded it. The video brought awareness to the masses about what’s happening inside and brought massive attention from authorities too!
Moreover, it reflected a reality where some people continue to create content, perform, or record events despite being fully aware of the human impact of the events surrounding them and the severity of the situation.
14. The last 20–25 minutes felt weaker
Pakistani movies often fail to tie up a strong ending. The last 20-25 minutes did not feel like a movie but rather a Mountain Dew advertisement.
In the first half of the movie, the action, tension, and fear factor were more developed and impactful than towards the end of the movie. Although I did not feel that the ending faltered, I do believe that it could have been better.
15. The scale of the final act was impressive
The entire movie takes place on Chaand Raat before Eid-ul-Azha, and watching the authorities, ministers, police, and armed forces work together to deal with the outbreak was a visual treat. It felt tense, chaotic, and surprisingly believable.
Spoiler alert…
The movie clearly leaves room for a sequel since one zombie survives and nobody seems to know about it. That reveal excited me and pretty much everyone else in the cinema. From the lead actors to the supporting cast and even those who appeared in just a single brief scene, everyone delivered exceptional performances.
Although Zombeid the movie has room for improvement, but for a first attempt at a zombie thriller, Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza deserve credit for taking the risk and stepping into a completely new genre for Pakistani cinema. And honestly? They managed to pull it off. If you haven’t watched Zombeid yet, do give it a chance.
You’re genuinely missing out!
