Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
