For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic 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 apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
