Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining