Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
