For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
