For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on people is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
