For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 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 subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
