For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
