Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
