For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning 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 all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
