For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
