For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "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. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
