Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting 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 quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
