For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
