For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously 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 push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
