Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
