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Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development

Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable