For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic 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 frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
