For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. 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 subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
