For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted 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 what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
