Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
