For the most part, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
