For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves 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 standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
