For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
