Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
