For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
