Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
