For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or community, 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 doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
