For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
