For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
