Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even 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, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
