Netflix's Startling Latest Undead Film Injects Fresh Air into a Tired Style

Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Personal Growth

One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals 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 real shock when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Source

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining