For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on people is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, 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 everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
