For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
