For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
