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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. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth

One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, 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 caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic 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. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining