Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
