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For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth

One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Source

The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining