Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
