For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, 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 beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
