For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
