Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
