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Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.

Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth

One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict 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 I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable