For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
