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For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Source

The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable