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Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development

Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Origin

This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining