Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
