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For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth

Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.

Unique Infection Origin

This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining