Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
