For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—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 consume, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
