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Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth

Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable