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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Development

One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic 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 movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable