Generally speaking, 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. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
