Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
