Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see 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 before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive 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 apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation 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 since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
