For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
