Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
