Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still 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, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
