Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
