Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. 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 clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
