Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals 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 so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains 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 spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
