Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
