For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
