Typically, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
