Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
