Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
