Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
