For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
