Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably 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 with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us who each relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
