Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
