Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes 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 you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
