Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
