For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently interrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
