Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
