Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
