For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
