Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
