Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
