🔗 Share this article

Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable