For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 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, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about 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 supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
