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For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Character Development

One of the film's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Origin

The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable