For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
