For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning 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 pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
