For the most part, 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 seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
