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Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth

Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.

Unique Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable