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Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Development

Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.

Unique Zombification Origin

The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining