Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
