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Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining