For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
