For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict 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 all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
