For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
