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Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Development

One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.

Unique Zombification Origin

This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on people is absolutely 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 physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining