Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 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 my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
