Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
