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For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Character Growth

One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Source

The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining