Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
