Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome 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 values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
