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Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Development

One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Source

The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable