Netflix's Startling Latest Zombie Film Injects Fresh Air into a Tired Category

Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Personal Development

One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Source

The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable