Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category 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, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
