Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was 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 frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
