For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
