Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
