Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
