For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming 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 all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
