Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
