Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
