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Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Superb Pacing and Character Development

One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.

Original Infection Source

The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable