Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, 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 all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
