Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "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 films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
