Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals 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 everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
