For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
