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For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets upended.

Unique Infection Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining