Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie 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 as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
