Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
