Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals 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—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
