🔗 Share this article

For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.

Unique Zombification Origin

This movie also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable