For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary 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 awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
