Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
