Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted 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. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
