For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
