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For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Character Growth

One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved 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 frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable