Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household 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 begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
