Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. 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 who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
