Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 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 what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
