Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
