Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
