For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, 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 all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
