Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
