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For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth

Among the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.

Original Infection Origin

This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable