Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
