Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any 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 hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
