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Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth

One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.

Unique Infection Origin

The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable