For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
