Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters 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 avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
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 forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
