For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people 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 forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
