Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
