For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see 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 been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
