Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
