For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
