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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

Among the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.

Unique Infection Origin

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, 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 is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining