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Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development

Among the film's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just 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 genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Source

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "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. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable