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For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Development

Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Source

The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining