For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
