Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting 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 remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
