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For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth

Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Source

This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable