Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked 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 the film to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "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 apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
