For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals 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 is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
