For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
