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For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Superb Pacing and Character Growth

One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster struck.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.

Original Infection Origin

This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining