Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. 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 eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation 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. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
