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 proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
