For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals 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 everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
