For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. 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 proves an engaging and entertaining
