Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
