Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning 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 forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
