For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "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 apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
