Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
