For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet 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 my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike 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 while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
