Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
