Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
