For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
