Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
