Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion 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 frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
