Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
