Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
