Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
