For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
