For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
