Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
