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Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Development

Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Source

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. 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 is an engaging and enjoyable