Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as 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 her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. 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 the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household 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 amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
