Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
