Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
