Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
