Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome 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 films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
