Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been 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 quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
