Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
