Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, 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 realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "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 family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
