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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 seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Character Growth

One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining