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Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth

Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable