Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals 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 so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
