Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
