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 proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. 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 focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
