Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
