For the most part, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for 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 regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
