For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
