For the most part, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet 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, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
