For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
