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Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Excellent Pacing and Character Development

Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.

Original Infection Origin

The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming 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! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, 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 meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable