Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
