Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
