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 proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
