Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
