Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
