Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just 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 invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
