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For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth

Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.

Original Zombification Source

The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining