Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
