Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation 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 end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical 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 regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
