Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
