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Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Development

One of this movie's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, 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 outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Origin

The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable