Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
