Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains 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 reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
