Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing 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 to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
