For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
