For the most part, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
