Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
