Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally 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 admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
