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For the most part, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Character Development

Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each relative represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining