Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon 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 pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
