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Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Character Development

Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.

Unique Zombification Source

The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining