For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "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 loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
