Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
