For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed 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 in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
