For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
