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Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Development

One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.

Unique Zombification Origin

The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable