For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
