For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
