For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce 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 as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation 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 films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
