Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
