Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. 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, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. 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 effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
