For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each family member represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable