For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable