For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. 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 which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
