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For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Excellent Pacing and Character Growth

One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.

Unique Infection Origin

The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable