Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
