Netflix's Startling Latest Zombie Flick Breathes New Life into a Stale Genre

Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting 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 quite enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth

Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining