Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
