Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
