Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
