Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
