For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
