Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining