Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost 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 amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
