Typically, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
