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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth

Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable