For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
