Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
