Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic 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 express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
