Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
