For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. 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 natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity 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 is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
