Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
