🔗 Share this article

Typically, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Character Development

Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable