Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
