Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
