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Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Superb Pacing and Personal Development

One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in typical 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, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining