Netflix's Startling New Zombie Flick Breathes New Life into a Overused Genre

Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development

One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Source

The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining