Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
