Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 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, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
