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For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Development

Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Source

The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals 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 I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining