For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
