Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
