🔗 Share this article

Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Character Growth

One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), 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 hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining