For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
