For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
