For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
