🔗 Share this article

For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, 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, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Development

Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Source

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 source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining