For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
