Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
