Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
