Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
