For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining