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Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Development

One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction has on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining