Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
