For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
