Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
