Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
