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Typically, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Superb Pacing and Character Growth

Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Origin

The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion 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 frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining