Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
