Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. 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 overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
