Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
