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For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Character Growth

One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.

Unique Infection Origin

This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining