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Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Character Development

Among the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed 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 transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining