Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear 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 nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
