Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
