Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—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 makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
