Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
