For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
