Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "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 loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
