Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
