The streaming giant's Surprising New Zombie Film Injects New Life into a Stale Style

Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Superb Pacing and Personal Development

Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real 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 story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining