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Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development

Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining