Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "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 movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
