For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
