For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation 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 movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
