For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
