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For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining