For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided 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 purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
