Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
