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Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Character Growth

Among the film's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy 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 carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Source

The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining