For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
