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For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Development

One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.

Unique Zombification Source

The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much 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 offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining