For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even 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, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome 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 often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
