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Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth

One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "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 films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable