For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us who each relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable