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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 seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth

Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.

Unique Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, 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.

Capable Characters

Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly 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 end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining