Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus 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 forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
