Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
