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Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Development

One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.

Original Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable