Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people 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 everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
