Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
