Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
