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Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining