For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
