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Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Character Development

Among the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy struck.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining