Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
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 some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
