Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
