Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
