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Typically, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Character Development

Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Source

The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable