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Typically, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth

Among the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding 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 actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each family member is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Origin

The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining