Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
