Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
