For the most part, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
