For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
