Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
