The streaming giant's Unexpected New Undead Movie Injects New Life into a Tired Genre

Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth

Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Source

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable