The streaming giant's Unexpected New Zombie Movie Breathes New Life into a Tired Category

Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth

Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Source

The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes 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 forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal 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 is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable