Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable