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Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Character Growth

Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat 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 household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Source

The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining