Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. 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 trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
