Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
