Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities 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 doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab 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 caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
