Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
