Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
