Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
