Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
