For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source 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 new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
