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For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Character Development

One of the film's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.

Original Infection Origin

This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning 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 forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable