Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal 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 is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
