Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
