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Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Personal Growth

One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.

Original Infection Source

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish 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 contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining