Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
