🔗 Share this article

For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth

One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster struck.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.

Original Infection Source

This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable