Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
