For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
