Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "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. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical 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 some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
