For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even 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, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was 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!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
