For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
