Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
