Netflix's Unexpected New Zombie Movie Injects New Life into a Overused Genre

Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Character Development

One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Source

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable