For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
