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For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth

One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Origin

The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was 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 all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining