Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite 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 message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
