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For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development

Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable