Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust 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 quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort 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 a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
