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Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth

One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.

Original Infection Source

The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable