🔗 Share this article

Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted 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, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Character Growth

Among the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy struck.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Origin

This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining