Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
