Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
