Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
