Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
