Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
