Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning 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 pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
