Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion 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 appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
