Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
