Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead 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 also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
