For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
