For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
