Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
