Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
