For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters only 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 shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
