For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
