🔗 Share this article

Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth

One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable