Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives 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. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
