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Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Character Development

One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining