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Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Development

One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining