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For the most part, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Character Development

One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Source

This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining