For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
