For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
