For the most part, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
