For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
