Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
