Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters 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 from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
