Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives 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 their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
