Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
