Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "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 apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
