Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved 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 everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
