Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
