For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business 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 is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
