Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
