For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
