For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
