Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved 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! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
