Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 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 my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
