For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when 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 understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
