Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
