Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord 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 I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
