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For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development

One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Invested in the Drama

I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable