Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
