For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
