Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
