Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
