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For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth

One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Source

The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining