Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
