For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
