For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
