Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
