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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.

Excellent Pacing and Character Development

Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Origin

This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved 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. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable