Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet 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 my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence 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 proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
