Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
