Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point 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 portion of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
