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For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development

Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.

Unique Infection Origin

The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.

Predictable Ending

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 any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining