Typically, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
