Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
