Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
