For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
