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For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Development

Among this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is 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 Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Origin

The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining