🔗 Share this article

For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 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, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.

Original Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost 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 cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining