Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
