Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
