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For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Development

Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Source

This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable