Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite 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 some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
