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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Excellent Pacing and Character Growth

Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable