Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic 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 apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
