Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
