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For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development

Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining