Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us who each relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
