Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
