For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
