Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often 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, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
