For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been 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.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
