For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
