For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic 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 movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, 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 on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
