For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
