Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
