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For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Personal Growth

Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Source

The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on people is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining