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Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Character Development

One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Source

The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch 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 devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable