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Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Development

Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable