For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion 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 films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
