Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
