For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
