Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
