Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. 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, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
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 like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
