Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
