Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
