Typically, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
