Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
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 apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
