For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
