For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once 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 brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
