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For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth

One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Source

This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable