Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
