Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
