Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
