Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
