Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
