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Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development

Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable