Typically, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
