For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also 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 instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
