Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
