Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
