For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
