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, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was 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!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
