Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting us who each relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are 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 convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
