Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
