Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
