Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
