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For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.

Superb Pacing and Character Growth

One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Drama

I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Source

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was 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 apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining