For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
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, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
