Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
