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Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Development

Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Origin

This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable