Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
