For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
