Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
