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

For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Character Development

One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.

Original Infection Source

This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining