Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals 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 isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
