Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, 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 agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
