Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion 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 relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
