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For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable