Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord 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 so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
