Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching 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 the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
