Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
