Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
