Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
