Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
