Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when 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 immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
