Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
