🔗 Share this article

For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Development

One of this movie's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Source

The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining