Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
