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Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Character Development

One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable