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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Excellent Pacing and Character Development

One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic 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 apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical 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 any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining