Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category 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 new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, 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. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
