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Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth

One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining