🔗 Share this article

Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 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 what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth

Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable