Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
