Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
