Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. 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 allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
